Forfar pensioner took hammer to door of neighbours’ flat

COURT: First offender fined £500 after acting ‘out of character’ in close of block of flats

A Forfar pensioner used a hammer to batter the door of an upstairs neighbour and told him: “I’m waiting for you, sunshine.”

Malcolm Nash, who has never been in legal trouble before, lost his cool in a noise row on January 13 at his home address in the town’s Don Street.

The 69-year-old previously admitted on January 13 at his home address he behaved in a threatening manner by banging on a door with a hammer, standing in the common close of a block of flats and uttering threats, while brandishing a hammer.

Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan told Forfar Sheriff Court the incident happened at around 5pm when the occupant heard banging on the door.

He said: “The accused was on the landing holding a hammer in his hand.

“He said: ‘I’m waiting for you sunshine’. The occupant went back inside and called the police.

“Police arrived to find small dents on the door of the property. He told police he hit the door with a hammer.”

Nash resides in a four-storey block and going to a neighbour’s door with the hammer was described as “unusual behaviour for a 69-year-old”.

Defence agent Nick Markowski said Nash has stayed there since 1995 and the neighbours who live above him moved there relatively recently.

“This seems to be entirely out of character for him,” said Mr Markowski.

“He had a small amount to drink and there was a noise that had irritated him. There are children in the flat and I believe they can be noisy from time to time.”

The court heard Nash has met the neighbour since the incident happened and there has been no further issue between the pair.

Sheriff Gregor Murray said: “I see that you accept that you did something wrong.

“What concerns me is you did something wrong whilst you had a hammer in your hand.

“You haven’t offended before and I think I can be reasonably confident there won’t be any further problems.”

He fined Nash £500. Forfeiture of the hammer was previously ordered by the court.

Police arrived to find small dents on the door of the property. He told police he hit the door with a hammer.

DEPUTE FISCAL STEWART DUNCAN

The court heard that Malcolm Nash had never been in trouble before when he lost his cool.