Highland power station worker fined over breach of the peace

A labourer working at a Wester Ross power station shouted threats because he thought he was going to be attacked.

But Michael Macleod’s defence solicitor, John MacColl, told Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday that there was nobody there and it was just workmates who were “winding up” his client.

Mr MacColl said that Macleod had heard reports of people being assaulted in the area after torches were shone in their eyes.

He added: “He had had a couple of drinks and was shouting empty threats but there was no-one there. He then decided he was going to sleep in his car.

“But police had been called and when they asked to breathalyse him, he refused because he said he wasn’t going to drive.”

The 33-year-old, of Lower Kessock Street in Inverness, admitted a breach of the peace at Attadale power station on December 22. He also pleaded guilty to refusing a breath test.

He was fined a total of £560 and had his licence endorsed with four penalty points.

Sheriff Peter Grant-Hutchison decided against a ban because Macleod’s bail condition imposed two and a half months ago prevented him from driving.