Man approached and made abusive remark to woman in shop

A man who called a woman in a supermarket an a “English bitch” will be sentenced later this month.

Craig Marshall, 34, of Newton Crescent, Arbroath, admitted breach of the peace at the town’s Arbirlot Road Co-op on March 25 by approaching a couple, making derogatory remarks to the woman, threatening the man with violence and gesticulating at him. Marshall also admitted a charge of failing to appear at court in March.

Defence solicitor Nick Markwoski said a social work report requested by the court was not available, adding that the accused had alcohol issues.

“The most serious offence is that which happened when he was under the influence of alcohol and referred to someone as an English bitch,” added the solicitor.

Sheriff Jillian Martin-brown deferred sentence until May 31.

Also at Forfar: Allan Alexander, 20, of Easterbank, Forfar, had sentence deferred on a low tariff basis until August 22.

He previously admitted a breach of the peace by behaving in a threatening manner towards three females at Angus College in Keptie Road, Arbroath, on February 6 and resisting arrest at the same address.

Defence solicitor Billy Rennie said a report before the court had suggested social work intervention as the best way forward for Alexander and Sheriff Martin-brown ordered the three-month deferral.

William Mcphee, 49, of no fixed abode, had sentence deferred for three months to be of good behavior having previously admitted offences including breaching bail and breach of the peace in January this year, as well as smearing excrement over the walls of a cell at Dundee police headquarters.

Andrew Ashcroft, 39, of Helen Street, Arbroath, was jailed for six months after admitting possessing a screwdriver in various town streets on October 27 last year and breaching a previous community payback order.

The court heard that Ashcroft is currently serving a recentlyimposed 32-month sentence for an assault and robbery offence.

“At best he will not be out of prison until the middle of next summer,” said solicitor Billy Ren-