Drunk’s abuse shame
Insulted boy on train
A drunk was abusive towards a boy with Down’s Syndrome on a train to Stirling.
Graeme King, 36, admitted shouting, swearing and making abusive remarks during a rail journey between Aberdeen and Stirling on December 17.
He was travelling to Stirling to see family, having spent some time working in Shetland.
He was on the train with another person and the pair had been drinking.
King was said to be behaving in an obnoxious manner.
The disabled boy and his carer boarded the train at Montrose and sat near the accused and his friend.
King was speaking loudly and the boy began to mimic words he was saying. The court heard that his condition causes him to do this. King responded by insulting the boy.
Fiscal depute Lindsey Brooks said: “His loud and drunk behaviour continued until the train got to Stirling.
“At this point police boarded and spoke to the accused and his friend.”
Defence solicitor Ken Dalling explained that King had little recollection of the day’s events.
He said: “He has no previous convictions and he accepts that his behaviour was shameful. He is not proud of himself.
“He had been drinking through the day and has little recollection of what happened.
“At the time he was in good spirits as he was returning from employment in Shetland and was going to be seeing family.”
Mr Dalling added that previously King had run a newsagents and had employed people with disabilities there.
He said: “For the first time in his adult life he is unemployed and is currently being supported by his partner.
“He has been looking for work but has been distracted by this case. He wants to put this behind him.
“I am asking you to deal with him as leniently as possible due to his record and early plea.”
Sheriff Wyllie Robertson told King: “This loud and obnoxious behaviour on a train is unacceptable. It will not be tolerated.
“If you have a problem with alcohol then you need to address it.”
King, who lives in Campbell Court, Newmilns, was fined £700.
He accepts his behavour was shameful