Drunken rantman toldtoget treatment

A Perth man who turned up outside his former partner’s flat at 3.45am after he and a friend had downed more than two litres of rum has been ordered to undergo alcohol treatment as part of a Community Payback Order.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that 30-year-old Michael Riddoch started bawling and shouting – wakening the woman and disturbing other neighbours – during the earlymorning outburst.

Now he has been warned that if there is any repetition of that kind of idiotic behaviour, he faces a jail sentence.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis noted it was his third conviction for a domestic-related matter and he now had two “significant” orders, both of which were a direct alternative to prison.

“You are boxing in the court as far as further disposals are concerned,” stated the sheriff.

If he offended in a similar manner again, Sheriff Foulis added: “The only option will be to take your liberty away.”

Riddoch, of Balgowan Road, admitted shouting and swearing and acting in an aggressive and abusive manner in Letham’s Rannoch Road on October 13 last year.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said the police were called and found the accused “in an aggressive and agitated state.”

Solicitor Linda Clark said the couple had separated in 2014.

“He hasn’t consumed alcohol to excess since the incident last October,” she added.

Sheriff Foulis noted from a background report that the accused and a friend had together consumed over two litres of rum.

Riddoch will have to complete 120 hours of unpaid work within the next six months.

He will also be supervised for 18 months and take part in the Positive Relationships Group Work Programme, as well as undergo alcohol treatment.