Fake fight by boozy pair

Shattered morning peace

The Sunday morning peace and quiet of Blairgowrie was shattered as two boozed-up local men re-enacted mixed martial arts fights they had been watching on television until the early hours.

Twenty-three-year-old John Harrison and Robert Willemars (22) had tied police warning tape, used to cordon off a sink hole in a nearby street, round their heads as they practised their moves.

But the pair caused mayhem as they lay down on the road, only getting out of the way of passing cars at the last minute.

They also startled pedestrians by jumping out in front of them and shouting and swearing.

The disturbance, which began shortly after 7am, wakened locals who looked out of their windows.

“They appeared heavily intoxicated and were shouting and causing a general nuisance,” depute fiscal Bill Kermode told Perth Sheriff Court.

The incident was described by lawyer Mike Tavendale as “a daft carry-on.”

But it led to Harrison, of Wellmeadow, and Willemars, of Lynwood, Coupar Angus Road, both Blairgowrie, being fined £600 and £400 respectively this week.

They admitted causing uproar in the town’s High Street and Allan Street on August 27 last year but part of the charge which alleged they made racially offensive gestures and remarks was deleted.

Mr Kermode said the two accused were first spotted at 7.10am, obstructing vehicles which had to brake as they lay down on the road.

Customers at a local newsagent’s shop also appeared to be alarmed and others were upset at the accused’s behaviour.

The police were contacted and the pair were seen with the tape around their heads.

Mr Tavendale, for both accused, said they had been watching the mixed martial arts fights.

They were up most of the night and “drink had been consumed.”

He added: “There was very little in the way of traffic in Blairgowrie on a Sunday morning and very few pedestrians either.”

They “took exception” to the police becoming involved and didn’t think they were doing anything wrong.

Clearly, however, alcohol had affected their perception of things.

Imposing the fines, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told them: “You may have both thought it was an incredible wheeze and no doubt were highly amused by the antics.

“Unfortunately others didn’t share your views of matters.”

Harrison was fined £600 as he has a criminal record.

Willemars was a first offender.

Others didn’t share your views of matters