A lout downed a bottle of vodka on Christmas morning, fell asleep in a dog basket and hurled bigoted abuse at police.
Paul McCaffray ruined the festive day for his family when he woke up in a “foul mood” and refused to get out of bed.
The day ended with him shouting racist slurs in the back of a police van.
The 39-year-old appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court and admitted a domestically-aggravated charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at his then home in Rossie Island Road, Montrose, on December 25, last year.
He also pled guilty to making racially offensive remarks and threats of violence to police officers.
Found sleeping in dog’s bed
Fiscal depute Jill Drummond said McCaffray’s family left the house on Christmas Day morning to spend time with relatives.
“The accused was in a foul mood and refused to get out of his bed,” she said.
“He instead started drinking alcohol.”
She told the court: “His partner was unhappy that he didn’t come with them.
“She returned at 4pm and found the accused lying in the living room, in a dog’s bed.
“There was an empty bottle of vodka near him.”
McCaffray told his family to “f*** off” and called them “fat”.
Ms Drummond said: “He began aggressively punching the walls with his fists.
“He punched a hole in a cupboard door.”
Police were called to the property, the fiscal depute said.
“Officers found the accused’s partner in a distressed state.
“The accused could be heard shouting from a bedroom upstairs.”
Cage fighting
Police found McCaffray lying in his underwear.
“He was clearly extremely intoxicated,” said Ms Drummond.
“He was handcuffed and placed in the back of a police van.
“Whilst en route to police headquarters in Dundee, the accused continued to kick the inside of the cage.”
He said: “You f***ing b******s are getting it.”
McCaffray then launched into a racist tirade, shouting about “monkey b******s” and “black b******s”.
He also used the N-word slur.
“This continued throughout the whole journey,” said the fiscal depute.
“He refused to desist when asked to do so. He was also asked to stop using those phrases.”
When charged, McCaffray replied: “F***ing a*******s.”
Ms Drummond said that McCaffray’s partner did not want the court to impose a non-harassment order.
No memory of abuse
Solicitor Keith Sym, defending, said: “He has very little recollection of this incident but he understands the effect it had on his family and the police officers.
“He is deeply ashamed.”
Mr Sym said: “He has a significant record but things have slowed down since he became part of a family unit.
“On this day, he was under a lot of pressure. He is the carer for his partner.
“He was in a low mood and instead of opening up to his partner, he took solace in a bottle of alcohol that had been given to him by his work.”
The solicitor stressed: “This appears to be an isolated incident.
“He does not shirk away from his responsibilities.
“He knows there is no one else to blame.”
McCaffray, of Hospital Place, Montrose, is the main breadwinner, and a fine – or even custody – would penalise the rest of the family, warned Mr Sym.
Sheriff Krista Johnston told McCaffray: “This was truly a shameful incident and I understand that you recognise that.
“You have a significant record but there have been some recent gaps in your offending.
“Nonetheless, the harm caused to the people closest to you was significant.”
She ordered him to complete 80 hours of unpaid work within six months.
For the latest court cases across Tayside and Fife, join our Courts Facebook page.
