A drunken Angus party guest who picked up a kitchen knife after a row over unwarranted advances which culminated in him licking a woman’s neck has avoided going behind bars.
Michael Brogan has also been deemed unsuitable for unpaid work, but a sheriff has warned the 45-year-old that he will be kept a close eye on during a year-long Community Payback Order which will include supervision and alcohol treatment elements.
Brogan twice tried to kiss the woman at the party in Emislaw Drive, Arbroath last August and was told to behave by others who splashed water on him to try to sober him up.
However, he then went further by licking the woman’s neck, sparking the early hours row in which he took a knife from a kitchen drawer and told her partner: “Come on then”.
Brogan, who admitted assaulting the woman on August 20 last year and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by brandishing the knife and challenging others to fight, left the house.
When he was traced by police and asked about the incident he told them: “I can’t remember.”
Defence solicitor Billy Rennie said his client suffered from a number of difficulties, and had encountered threats as a result of his actions, saying there had been an element of “summary justice” in the matter.
“The social inquiry report indicates there would be difficulties with a Restriction of Liberty Order and detention. It is only through his ill health that unpaid work is not an option,” he said.
“It is certainly not the suggestion that he should be getting away scot free.”
Mr Rennie continued: “This seems to be a one-off in what is the last five years and there are no other matters outstanding for him.
“This happened almost exactly a year ago, he has been of good behaviour, co-operated with all the reports and has had no contacts with the persons since.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray told Brogan, of Elm Brae, Arbroath: “With some reluctance, I am prepared to place you on a CPO.
“This is a case that fully deserves a custodial sentence.
“I have to take into account that it occurred some time ago, but I would like supervision and alcohol treatment conditions. That will involve you stopping drinking over a period of time, not carrying on as you are at the moment.”
Brogan will return to court for a CPO review on October 25.
