Ayrshire Post

Dad pullsout bowand arrow inquad bikerow

- ABI SMILLIE

A dad-of-two has been fined for brandishin­g a bow and arrow during a quad bike dispute with his pals.

Robbie Jones, 23, armed himself with the weapon after a disagreeme­nt over a damaged quad bike came to --a head on July 30, 2021 at his home address, where he lives with his parents.

Ayr Sheriff Court heard Jones and the two complainer­s had been childhood friends and had been out on quad bikes before one was returned damaged.

A row erupted before Jones went inside his house and grabbed his brother’s archery bow and three arrows.

Solicitor Peter Lockhart said: “The accused’s father came out and tried to calm things down. The father then called the police.The mother has came out and persuaded them to go home and she suffered from a panic attack and collapsed.

“The accused went to his brother’s room and got a bow and arrow. He told me: ‘My brother died three years ago and was interested in archery. I picked up three arrows and went outside’, and thereafter matters continued from there.”

Mr Lockhart said Jones “accepts this was not the way to behave” and added that both complainer­s were charged with breach of the peace and vandalism.

Mr Lockhart said: “He realises that was an error on his part.

“He pled guilty at the earliest opportunit­y.

“He describes the type of bow and arrow that was used as for basic archery.

“I don’t think it’s one of these crossbow sophistica­ted types.”

The procurator fiscal confirmed the bow and arrow was used for basic archery and no arrows were fired at either complainer.

The fiscal told Sheriff Foran: “It appears to be standard archery equivalent with no modificati­ons. It has not been pointed at anyone.”

Sheriff Foran told Jones: “I was extremely alarmed when I first read this; my alarm is only narrowly reduced from what I’ve heard today.

“It is thankful your father had the presence of mind to step in.”

Jones, of Dalfarson Avenue, Bellsbank, was fined a total of £420, which he will pay back at £40 per week.

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