Drunk OAP threw bin at house window

A Perth pensioner hurled a wheelie bin at a house window, smashing it and cutting his hand, because he wanted to check if his friend, who has subsequently died, was OK.

When 70-year-old Douglas Blues was questioned by police, he maintained:“I’m not a criminal.”

But Sheriff Pino Di Emidio said:“He’s a criminal whether he thinks so or not.

“He has four convictions in a very short space of time.

“It’s a matter of very considerable concern that a person has flouted court orders so persistently.”

Blues, of Bute Drive, North Muirton, admitted wilfully or recklessly throwing the bin at the window of a house in Florence Place, Perth, on April 22, 2021.

He also flouted a November 13, 2020, bail order banning him from contacting or attempting to contact Katherine Gowling or entering Florence Place.

Depute fiscal Tina Dickie said despite the bail order, Blues went to her home about 3pm on April 22.

That prompted an anonymous 999 call to police that he was causing a disturbance there.

When police arrived, they could see he had cut himself and was bleeding from his hand.

“He openly said he was trying to check if Catherine Gowling was OK.”

Police carried out a “welfare check”at the address but got no reply.

Solicitor Pauline Cullerton:“The lady unfortunately is now deceased.”

Alcohol had played a part in the accused going to the woman’s home, she explained.

“He spent a period on remand previously and he found it difficult.”

Sheriff Di Emidio said court orderºs had to be respected and he ordered Blues to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, as an alternative to a jail term, in the next 12 months.

He will also be supervised by a social worker for eight months he already has four months left to run on an earlier order.

The Macmillan Coffee shop at Quarrymill woodland park celebrated its 30th birthday this week.

Volunteers came together to mark the occasion, having helped the shop raise over £1 million for the Cornhill Macmillan Centre in Perth over the past three decades.

Pictured is (seated from left) Maggie McGregor, joint manager, Ruth Mackay, former chairperson and volunteer for 30 years, and Ian MacKinnon, first manager of the coffee shop, along with some volunteers.

Anyone wanting to volunteer at the shop should call 07983729324 or email macmillancoffeeshop@yahoo.co.uk