Fine for pigeon row punch man
Sheriff takes pity on first offender who assaulted victim over bird mess
A busybody who assaulted a grieving son over pigeons roosting on a roof has been shown mercy by a sheriff.
Paul McNab, 58, escaped with a £ 200 fine after he punched Charles Peacock in the face outside his late father’s house.
First offender McNab admitting assaulting Mr Peacock after getting in a flap about the mess of the property in Sandy Road, Renfrew, caused by a flock of pigeons huddling on the roof.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard McNab and his wife, from Priory Avenue in Gallowhill, regularly took an evening stroll where they passed by the house covered with roosting pigeons.
On October 2 last year, the accused confronted Mr Peacock, leading to an exchange of words, which prompted him into assaulting the complainer.
The complainer was said to have told McNab to ‘f*** off.’
Prosecutor Frank Clarke said the victim was accosted as he sat in his van outside the home.
He said: “The accused knocked on the window.
“Mr Peacock left the van to speak with him.
“The accused said to him, ‘I want to speak to you about those birds on the roof’.
“Mr Peacock came to believe the accused was under the influence of alcohol.
“At that point, the accused punched him to the face causing bruising and a small laceration. He walked away.
“Mr Peacock phoned the police. Shortly after, officers arrived.
“The accused was arrested.” Defence agent Graham Brown said: “Mr McNab is a 58- year- old man with no record whatsoever. The circumstances of this incident are somewhat unusual, in fact, it is inexplicable why he became involved in this.
“He usually spends his time looking after other people.
“He spends the majority of his time looking after his elderly mother and has a good understanding with his wife.
“Two days before this, his mother-in-law was taken to hospital. She passed away.
“While his own brother, who lives in the USA, suffered from a stroke. He is seriously ill.
“This incident occurred against a background of various events.
“He had been making inquiries about something that annoyed him. He was met by a response that was alien to him.
“It was a curt response from the complainer.”
The lawyer added McNab was deeply ashamed at his conduct which has earned him a criminal conviction for assault.
Sheriff Lindsey Kooner said: “It is inexplicable why you became involved in this incident.
“That you have reached the age of 58 without becoming involved in trouble, it is unlikely you would be again.
“I am going to draw a line under the matter.”
She fined him £ 200, reduced from £300, because of his guilty plea.