Threatened to break police officers’ legs

A drunken Perth man threatened to “break” police officers’ legs as they investigated noise coming from his flat.

Mark Clephane (27), of Pomarium Street, also unleashed a foul-mouthed, expletive-laden rant after money he had put aside for a birthday present went missing.

His outburst cost him two nights in police custody - and he was hit with a £600 fine when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court.

He admitted repeatedly shouting and swearing and making violent threats to police in Pomarium Street, Perth on May 27 this year.

He was subject to a March 2, 2018, bail order at the time.

He had a not guilty plea accepted to a second charge of resisting four officers by repeatedly struggling with them and lashing out with his arms and legs.

Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney said police had gone to the property in relation to noise coming from it.

They were met by the accused shouting: “This is my f***ing flat f*** yous all.”

And when they knocked on his door he screamed: “I’ll break your f***ing legs.”

Solicitor Paul Ralph said that because of a court holiday on the Monday, the accused had spent an extra night in custody.

“He had lost his job shortly before this and had people round who were drinking.”

When he couldn’t find the cash for the present, he “wanted the people out of the house.” The lawyer added: “Hopefully he will have learned a lesson due to the time he spent in custody.”

Imposing the fine, payable at £15 a week, Clephane was told by Sheriff Wood: “This is the sort of disorder we can well do without.”