Seven-month curfew for baseball bat man

Electronic tag for man, 48, who returned to pub with offensive weapon after being thrown out of bar earlier

An Angus man thrown out of a pub returned minutes later wielding a baseball bat, a court has heard.

Stephen Coulter has been electronically tagged after being involved in a bust-up at the Albert Bar in Montrose.

He was told to get out but headed straight to his partner’s house nearby and returned to the pub with the weapon.

He was quickly disarmed, but when police were called Coulter landed in more trouble when he was found to be in possession of cannabis.

At Forfar Sheriff Court, the 48-yearold, of The Maltings, Montrose, pled guilty to possessing an offensive weapon at the premises on Market Street and having the controlled drug.

Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan said there had been an altercation on the evening of April 30 and Coulter was told to leave.

“He walked to his partner’s home, picked up the baseball bat and went back to the bar along with his partner,” added the fiscal.

“There was a struggle and the bat was taken off him.”

Police who were called then found Coulter had just over three grammes of cannabis, with a value of around £30.

Defence solicitor Billy Rennie said: “His partner’s house is virtually next door to the public house.

“He had ended up being put on the floor and a combination of drink, adrenalin and anger had caused him to go to his partner’s house, where he saw the bat.

“He does not attempt to minimise his actions and has expressed considerable remorse, and fortunately he was disarmed immediately.”

Mr Rennie said the accused has received significant support for mental health difficulties.

“He should not have been drinking. He is someone who is vulnerable so I would suggest a custodial disposal is not appropriate.

“He has very limited involvement with the courts, albeit his last conviction is somewhat analogous in relation to threats of violence.

“He would be willing to comply with supervision or unpaid work, but is deemed not suitable for that in the social work report.”

Sheriff Robert Dickson told Coulter: “It’s a serious matter to leave a public house, arm yourself with a baseball bat and then return there.

“It is difficult to know what to do when I am told you are not suitable for supervision or unpaid work.”

Coulter was placed on a seven-month restriction of liberty order confining him to his home between 6pm and 6am, and fined £100 for the cannabis offence.