Man blames snake for breaching bail order

A jilted boyfriend who broke bail by hunting down his estranged partner within hours of being freed from court has blamed the offence on his snake.

Scott Green claimed he was a reptile expert and had to speak to Poppy Forest about the welfare of their pet boa constrictor.

He followed Miss Forest around Perth until he was arrested and held overnight in custody before appearing at the city’s sheriff court.

Solicitor David Holmes, defending, said Green’s blatant breach of the court order had been motivated by concern for his snake.

“The couple had been staying with a boa constrictor, aged six months, in a tank. It was in their house in a tank,” he said.

“When they separated there were conditions which meant he could not look after the snake.

“He was very anxious to find out what was happening with the snake. The only way he could find out was by approaching the complainer.”

Green, from Kinross, admitted breaking bail conditions imposed on Thursday.

Depute fiscal Matthew Kerr told the court that Miss Forest was first approached by Green at 4.30pm in the St John’s shopping centre and he was still hanging around outside her house at 8.10pm when he was arrested.

Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney told Green: “You were granted bail and almost immediately you breached that order and the special condition.

“You persistently breached it and have previous convictions. You have been around the block and knew exactly what you were doing. I have no choice.”

He jailed Green for six months.