An Angus man narrowly avoided a jail sentence yesterday after penning a letter of apology to a sheriff.
Alan Douglas, 21, of Easterbank in Forfar, appeared at the town’s sheriff court, where he was sentenced to a two-year supervised community payback order with 100 hours’ unpaid work.
He was also told to pay £200 compensation for kicking a wing mirror on Myre Road, Forfar, on April 20.
He also admitted punching a 14-year-old boy in the face at the Vennel, conducting himself in a disorderly manner and digging his nails into a female police officer’s cheek and eye on April 21 in Easterbank.
Douglas previously had his sentence deferred for the preparation of reports.
However, when he appeared in court, Sheriff Kevin Veal temporarily remanded him in custody after reading the report, which showed that Douglas had been abusive to the author and another female social worker.
While in custody, Douglas wrote a letter of apology which was handed to the sheriff by defence solicitor Nick Markowski.
Mr Markowski said: “As you can see, he has taken the opportunity to write a letter of apology and he has said he will publicly apologise to the author of the report and the social worker.
“This year has been fairly difficult for Mr Douglas. Just prior to this incident there were two bereavements and he has been drinking heavily.
“However, he is now in full-time employment … If he retains his liberty he will retain his employment.”
Sheriff Veal said: “His attitude towards women, which is in my view demonstrated in his attitude towards the social worker, is of great concern.
“I will, on this occasion, allow him his liberty but if there is any hint of the kind of behaviour set out in the report towards female social workers or any female member of staff, there will be a breach and he will certainly spend time in prison.
“This type of behaviour is unacceptable and the matters are aggrieved by his appalling attitude during the interview.”