Row over kitten led to man arming himself

A man armed himself with a baton to remonstrate with a woman and her brother in a bitter dispute over a kitten.

Barry Russell, 47, paid a deposit to buy the pet from a woman on Gumtree, but she withdrew the offer after becoming concerned at messages he had sent.

Fiscal depute Brian Young told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “She became concerned and withdrew the offer to sell the kitten and offered to return the deposit through online banking.

“The accused appears to have refused to provide his bank details and attended at the complainer’s home address unannounced demanding the deposit be returned.”

The woman sent her brother to speak to him due to being concerned about messages and he spotted the “large, black baton” in Russell’s hand and asked why he had it.

Mr Young added: “He replied ‘for my protection’ and thereafter raised the baton from his side and took a stance which caused the witness to be under the impression he was considering hitting him with it.”

Mr Young said the brother gave Russell his deposit back – a fact disputed by defence agent Gregor Kelly.

Russell, of Ashgrove Avenue, Aberdeen, pled guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

Mr Kelly said his client had struggled during the pandemic with his health and losing his job.

He said someone had suggested he get a pet to help with his mood.

The solicitor esaid Russell had not been allowed to see the kitten and “felt he was being strung along”.

Sheriff Morag McLaughlin fined Russell £470 and granted a motion for forfeiture of the baton.