Police called to stand up fight in the street

A disturbance in a residential area of Balfron involved a resident fighting with another man in the street.

When police arrived at Donaldson Way on the afternoon of Sunday July 26 last year they found a crowd of people there.

Sean Nicholson had shouted and swore and engaged in a stand-up fight with the other man.

The 27-year-old had admitted a charge of conducting himself in a disorderly manner in Donaldson Way and committing a breach of the peace.

He had been fighting with a neighbour’s sister’s boyfriend.

Fiscal depute Ann Orr told Stirling Sheriff Court this week that a female neighbour of the accused had returned to her home address that afternoon.

Nicholson however appeared outside shouting and swearing – and called the woman an insulting name.

Another neighbour within her house heard arguing and recognised it as the accused and a female neighbour.

The female neighbour contacted her mother who attended at the scene along with her other daughter’s boyfriend.

The disturbance attracted the attention of other Donaldson Way neighbours who saw the mother and the other daughter’s boyfriend arrive.

Ms Orr said things seemed to escalate and the accused and the other man started to fight involving punching and struggling.

Ultimately, she added, Nicholson was knocked to the ground.

Neighbours managed to separate the two men, but they managed to break free. They continued to shout at each other and exchange punches.

A number of people had contacted the police and when officers attended they“found numerous people in the street”.

When arrested at the scene, the accused said:‘I’m innocent’.

Nicholson’s agent Virgil Crawford told Sheriff Keith O’Mahony:“It seems the substance of it is a dispute with a female neighbour”.

He pointed out that Nicholson continues to stay in Donaldson Way and there were“no ongoing difficulties”.

The accused had no previous convictions and there were no court matters outstanding.

Mr Crawford added that Nicholson, who is supported by his mother, had a mental health problem and was engaging with various services in connection with that. Referring to a criminal justice report, Sheriff O’Mahony noted he was a first offender, had tendered a guilty plea – and had“made progress”since events had occurred.

Nicholson was therefore admonished.