A man who sparked panic at Aberdeen Beach after being spotted with an airgun has been spared jail.
On a busy summer’s day last July, Tamas Buda armed himself with a replica pistol and headed to the seaside to “have fun” shooting rocks.
But terrified passers-by on the busy shore front did not see the funny side and quickly called the police.
Buda later appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted committing a breach of the peace on July 8 last year.
At the time, he was warned by Sheriff Malcolm Garden his reckless actions might result in him being locked up.
However, the Hungarian national was spared jail yesterday when Buda’s defence agent, Mike Allan, said his client “would not muck about with guns again”.
The court previously heard Mr Allan had accepted witnesses may have thought Buda was a “gangster or terrorist”.
Fiscal Depute Karen Dow stated the “beach was busy” at the time the offence took place just before 3pm.
She said a witness saw Buda, wearing sunglasses and a cap that was covering his face.
Ms Dow also said the witness believed Buda was carrying a “small” pistol. She added: “The witness was terrified by his behaviour and called the police.”
When police arrived, officers ordered Buda to lie down and it was later discovered the item he had was a BB gun.
Defence agent Mr Allan said his client had just been looking to “have some fun”.
He stated: “He bought this gun, an airgun, with some ball bearings. He was going to the beach to fire at some rocks.
“He did have on glasses that were dark – most people might have thought he was a gangster or terrorist, I can see why people might have been alarmed.”
Sentencing Buda, 21, of Rosehill Court, Aberdeen, Sheriff Garden said: “You should be in no doubt this type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and it caused great alarm and will not be tolerated.”
Buda was ordered to carry out 150 hours of community service in the next nine months.