A police manhunt has been launched for a Pot Noodle maniac who attacked his neighbour for breaking his kettle.
William Stewart, 20, hit boiling point and punched Andrew Dawson for depriving him of the means to make his favourite meal.
Stewart failed to turn up at Perth Sheriff Court to be sentenced for the assault and a warrant for his arrest was issued by Sheriff William Wood.
The court had earlier heard how Stewart “lived on Pot Noodles and coffee” and lashed out after discovering a neighbour had broken his kettle.
Stewart, from Perth, admitted assaulting Andrew Dawson by punching him on the body on September 27 last year.
He also admitted breaching the peace at Greyfriars Hostel in Perth on July 4 by shouting, swearing and overturning a bin.
Depute fiscal Tina Dickie told the court that Mr Dawson had gone to the communal courtyard at the St Catherine’s Square flats to ask a security guard for a lighter.
“He was having a cigarette when the accused went to the front window of a third-floor flat and began shouting at Mr Dawson.
“The accused was antagonising him, calling him a grass. He told Mr Dawson he was going to get his girlfriend to hit Mr Dawson’s girlfriend, who is pregnant.
“Mr Dawson told the accused to come down. The accused came downstairs and challenged Mr Dawson to a fight.
“The accused punched Mr Dawson once to the chest/shoulder area and left and immediately went back upstairs.”
Solicitor Pauline Cullerton, defending, said: “There has been a bit of history between them. They had both been antagonising each other.
“The complainer had stolen his kettle and that caused him anxiety because he lives on Pot Noodles and drinks coffee.
“He arrived home one day to find the kettle smashed at his front door.
“Mr Stewart reacted and punched Mr Dawson.”
Sheriff William Wood said: “It was very silly to get involved in this. There’s a background and a history and you lost control and punched him.
“You cannot do that. You have to understand that. You need to screw the nut and behave yourself.”
He placed Stewart on a young offenders project and deferred sentence, but the accused failed to co-operate with social workers or return to court this week.
