Buckie man blamed mix of diabetes and drink for assault on barman

A Moray man has blamed his diabetes after lying down in a pub then grabbing a barman by the throat when he was asked to leave.

Ian Snow, 61, had been at the Old Coach House Hotel for several hours when his behaviour became unusual.

Elgin Sheriff Court heard yesterday that Snow lashed out when he was asked to leave and grabbed barman Patrick Kinsella by the throat.

Mr Kinsella soon managed to restrain Snow and got him to leave the premises.

Snow, of Carnie Place in Buckie, later admitted assaulting Mr Kinsella on December 2.

His solicitor Stephen Carty claimed that his client’s diabetes, and the fact he had drunk five bottles of beer, led to the incident.

He added that Snow was “very sorry” for the way he had behaved.

Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov fined Snow £400 and ordered him to pay Mr Kinsella £100 in compensation.

She said: “Everyone should be safe and able to go to work without worrying about being assaulted.”