A Moray man, who tried to slash the tyres of a van belonging to tradesmen who tried to help him, has avoided a prison sentence.
James Stephen, from Elgin, had gas engineers John Hamilton and Allan Ferguson visit his home on November 7.
Yesterday, the 59-year-old was sentenced at Elgin Sheriff Court after brandishing a knife.
From about 8am, the work crew began to notice Stephen become more intoxicated during the day. When the men attempted to offer him medical assistance after he appeared to fall over, he refused, became aggressive and left the building.
Fiscal Rowena Carlton explained that, when the engineers went outside to follow him, they saw him holding a knife.
She added: “He was on the opposite side of the road and walked across the carriageway and attempted to slash the tyres on the van of the engineers.
“As he was walking across the road, he was nearly hit by vehicles.”
Defence solicitor Grant Daglish explained his client had suffered from an addiction to alcohol in recent years.
He added: “He realises now that he can’t go on like this.”
Stephen, of Sandy Road in Elgin, was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work after admitting a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.