An Angus soldier who woke up in a police cell on his wedding day was fined £500.
David Galloway (21), of Carnoustie, had to beg the custody sergeant to release him for his wedding.
Arbroath Sheriff Court court heard on Tuesday that the soldier was ”extremely ashamed” by his behaviour.
Galloway admitted that on October 29 at High Street, Carnoustie, he acted in a racially aggravated manner towards a 15-year-old boy, did repeatedly make racist comments to him and challenge him to a fight.
He further admitted assaulting a man by seizing him by the throat, wrapping his arm around the man’s neck and pulling him to the ground and thereafter applying pressure to the man’s neck with his arm to his injury.
Depute fiscal Hazel Anderson said the incident happened in the early hours of the morning. The 15-year-old boy came across Galloway and his friend, who were under the influence of alcohol.
She said Galloway shouted racial abuse at the boy five or six times and challenged him to a fight.
The complainer’s friend tried to intervene, and Galloway grabbed him by the throat and knocked him to the ground before applying pressure to his neck.
A defence agent said Galloway is a serving soldier with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and is based near Fallingbostel in Germany. He said he is soon to go to Canada for training before heading to Afghanistan.
”It was the night before his wedding. He woke up in a cell and had to beg the custody sergeant to release him for his wedding.
”He is extremely ashamed of his behaviour. He knows he has brought his family and his regiment into disrepute.”