Man’s remarks make for ‘very expensive night out’

A Crianlarich man has been fined £700 for making threatening and racial remarks to staff in an Oban pub.

Alexander Hobson, 24, of Strathview, Crianlarich, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and causing fear and alarm in the bar on November 5, 2017.

Oban Sheriff Court heard on Tuesday that Hobson had been refused alcohol by bar staff, whom he then told: ‘If you do not serve me, I will come back and serve myself.’

When he was prevented from doing so, Hobson shouted at one staff member: ‘You are South African. You are not even from Oban. This is my town. You are a foreigner from another country. You should not be serving me drinks.’

Defence agent Laura McManus said her client ‘had drunk far, far too much ... He has no recollection of these comments,’ Ms McManus said. ‘He respects those who come to this country to live and work.’

Sheriff John Herald told Hobson it was ‘a very expensive night out’ and imposed a £700 fine.