A man threatened to rape the manager of a Moray supermarket after being refused alcohol for being drunk.
Ryan Bowman was being dragged from Elgin’s Aldi store by police officers when he made the alarming remark towards its male boss.
A sheriff yesterday condemned Bowman’s “disgraceful” conduct, before ordering him to perform 100 hours of unpaid work as punishment.
The 29-year-old appeared in the dock alongside co-accused Jeanette Brown and Darren Livingstone – who also kicked up a fuss when they were asked to leave Aldi.
The court heard the trio arrived at the Trinity Place supermarket on Wednesday, August 17, after leaving a nearby pub which closes at 8pm during the week.
Fiscal David Morton said that Brown and Livingstone approached the till with a basket of drink, but the cashier opted not to serve them when she realised Bowman was with them.
Mr Morton added: “Bowman seemed extremely intoxicated, and the cashier was concerned about selling alcohol to someone she shouldn’t be.
“She summoned a manager, and the parties were refused the sale.
“At that point, matters deteriorated, as the group took exception to this.”
The court heard that police had to be called to eject the trio from the shop.
Mr Morton added: “Bowman shouted that he would rape the manager of Aldi, prior to leaving the store.”
Bowman later admitted to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, by swearing and shouting “remarks of a sexual nature”.
He also accepted a charge of resisting arrest by “tensing his body” and refusing to be handcuffed.
The court heard that Bowman was “suitably shocked” when he was informed of his actions the following morning.
Sheriff Chris Dickson told him: “The language you used was completely unacceptable.”
He has to carry out the 100 hours of community service.
Brown and Livingstone both admitted to behaving in an abusive manner and refusing to leave the shop when asked.
Brown, a 49-year-old first offender, had sentence deferred for six months.
Her lawyer, Stephen Carty, said she had taken to drink after the death of her mother – but was now addressing her issues.
And 36-year-old Livingstone, of 39 Langstane Place in Elgin, has to pay a £235 fine.