‘Disgraceful’ behaviour of man at Oban Tesco

A man who threatened to shoot staff at Oban Tesco and assaulted two police officers has been told by the town’s sheriff his behaviour can only be described as ‘disgraceful’.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes told Robert Brown that given his criminal record, he would be ‘entirely justified’ in sending him to prison after incidents on May 29 and May 30.

Brown, aged 39, of 17 Combie Court, Glencruitten Road, pleaded guilty at Oban Sheriff Court on September 22 to five charges and appeared before the court for sentencing on December 2.

He was charged with disorderly conduct, two assaults on police officers, breaking a bail condition not to go to Tesco and struggling violently with officers.

Staff at Tesco asked him to leave after he visited the store on multiple occasions on the same day during lockdown and alarmed staff with his intoxicated state and failure to respect social distancing, the earlier hearing was told.

It led to police being called and a confrontation with them.

He was arrested and bailed with a condition not to go back to the store.

But the following day, Tesco staff again reported him in the vicinity which resulted in another confrontation with police in the grounds of the Old Parish Church, Glencruitten Road.

Sheriff Hughes said he had been persuaded only by a ‘narrow margin’ not to send him to prison.

Instead, he handed down a community payback order which requires the accused to be under the supervision of social workers for two years.

He must also complete 250 hours of unpaid work within 18 months. Sheriff Hughes warned Brown: ‘If this order is not completed then it will be revoked and you can expect a custodial sentence.’

Solicitor Ruben Murdanaigum said the pre-sentence report was ‘very good’ and had highlighted the various issues Brown had been facing and was coping with.

His life had not been ‘very good’ and he had a ‘long list’ of previous convictions, yet prior to the relapse he had managed to stay out of trouble for a considerable time, said Mr Murdanaigum.

Brown had been actively involved in the town’s Oban Addiction Support and Information Service for many years, until its sudden closure, the court heard.

Mr Murdanaigum said it had left his client with very little support in his life and he had relapsed as a result.