‘Lippy’ man fined after repeatedly going back to Brechin flat

A man who “became lippy” and repeatedly returned to a flat in Brechin during the night after being asked to leave was fined at Forfar Sheriff Court.

James Curran, of Glencalder Crescent in Bellshill, admitted that on April 8 at Market Street in Brechin, he behaved in a manner likely to cause fear or alarm by repeatedly loitering outside a flat and refusing to leave after being instructed to do so.

The court heard that the 48-yearold had arranged to stay with a friend on Market Street and had been consuming alcohol and watching football within her flat.

Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said: “He became lippy and was asked to leave.

“The accused sat down on the landing outside the flat and stated that she would need to call the police to remove him.

“Police attended at 10.30pm and asked him to leave.

“Due to the location of his home address, there was no public transport available.

“The accused was offered the opportunity to sleep within Brechin police office.

“He said he would just walk about until he could get a bus.

“However at 00.30 hours he returned to the locus and was shouting up to the flat.

“Police attended again and took him to Brechin police office.”

Ms Drummond said that some time later he left the police, stating again that he would walk about until he could get a bus.

“However, at 3.30am the accused returned to the locus again.

“He was detained by the police at 4.10am.”

Curran’s defence agent acknowledged that the police had been “somewhat lenient” until their “hands were tied” by his client repeatedly going back to the flat.

He added that Curran had health difficulties which could affect his decision-making.

“He had been drinking and he shouldn’t have been drinking,” he added.

Sheriff Marion McDonald said: “This wasn’t a very nice incident and it went on for some time.”

She fined Curran £270, reduced from £300 as a result of his plea.