A Macduff man who wielded a machete at police officers during a drunken tirade has been spared jail.
Richard Stuart had been drinking on the night, and his girlfriend had called 999 after finding him in the living room with the machete.
Police were called after being alerted by paramedics, and Stuart waved the blade in their direction.
The 21-year-old waved the blade – from a distance – in their direction.
Stuart previously admitted having an offensive weapon at 35 Doune Crescent, Macduff, on October 29 last year, and appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday for sentencing.
Defence agent Lynn Bentley told the court her client had been drinking on the night.
The court had previously heard Stuart had believed his partner – who he has a son with – had been having an affair.
Fiscal depute David Bernard said it had been “playing on his mind” when he had been drinking.
His actions were only stopped when he released the machete to roll a cigarette.
He shouted derogatory and racist remarks at the officers while restrained.
Ms Bentley said yesterday Stuart was the “breadwinner” of the family, and urged Sheriff Andrew Miller not to lock her client up.
The sheriff said: “This is a very concerning incident but it seems to me, on the face of it, that a community payback with unpaid work will be efficient,” he added.
“You have never been convicted of anything remotely similar to this in the past. This particular episode certainly appears to be out of keeping with your previous character.”
Stuart was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work as part of a community payback order, which he must complete within nine months. He will also be under a 12-month supervision order.