A football fan who caused a drunken fracas at a Perthshire beauty spot has claimed that his beer may have been spiked.
Offshore worker Alan Watson was kicked off a Celtic FC supporters’ coach at Dunkeld more than 100 miles from his home on the Moray coast after fellow fans got fed-up with his rowdy behaviour.
The 38-year-old, who was on his way home after watching his team’s 6-1 win over Dundee United, was left stranded when the bus drove off without him.
Watson appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on Tuesday and admitted a breach of the peace in the village’s High Street on Saturday, August 16.
Witnesses said he shouted and swore, staggered into the path of oncoming traffic and publicly urinated before police arrived to take him away.
Sheriff Michael Fletcher fined him £300.
Fiscal depute Rebecca Kynaston said that a local shopkeeper, who was closing up for the night, had spotted Watson after he was ejected from the coach, just after 6pm.
“He was very drunk and very loud,” Mrs Kynaston said. “He was refused back on to the bus and it left without him.”
Watson was seen to step into a side street to urinate. Afterwards, he reappeared and began shouting at people in the street, although they could not make out what he was saying.
Mrs Kynaston added: “As a result of his demeanour the shop owner decided to call police.”
Officers arrived took Watson to the local police station, although he was so drunk he could not be charged.
Watson, of Central Avenue, Forres, was given a night in the cells to sober up.
“The next day he said he had no recollection of the previous evening,” said Mrs Kynaston. “He was remorseful.”
Defence agent Billy Somerville said his client still had no memory of the incident.
“He can’t explain why he was so drunk that day,” he said. “He had been drinking, but he had not had that much.”
Mr Somerville said it was possible Watson’s drinks had been spiked, although he could not be sure.