A couple’s festive night out ended with hurled threats and thrown punches after they were ordered to leave an Aberdeen bar on Christmas Eve.
James Wilson and Leigh-Anne Mowat caused trouble at the Great Western Hotel’s Terrace Bar on December 24 last year after consuming too many yuletide drinks.
The Christmas spirit did not extend to their behaviour, as Wilson, 38, turned destructive and aggressive, issued death threats and destroyed a door.
Mowat, 26, didn’t hold back either – repeatedly punching a barmaid and kicking another on the leg.
Fiscal depute Emma Petersen told Aberdeen Sheriff Court said it all kicked off at around 6.30pm when the pair were spotted “becoming aggressive” in the Great Western Road bar’s pool area.
“Wilson attended at the bar and asked for alcohol,” she said. “He was refused drink due to his level of intoxication.
“He was then asked to leave as he was no longer welcome there.
‘I am going to kill you’
“Wilson replied ‘I am not leaving’ and when staff tried to reason with him he continued to be rude and aggressive. He shouted across the bar ‘I am going to kill you’, twice.
“He then picked up a pint glass and started walking towards a witness in an aggressive manner before another witness managed to get the glass from his hand.”
The fiscal told how Wilson, a courier driver, was then ushered to the smoking area where he continued to shout threats to people before causing £500 worth of damage to a door which he kicked and punched until its glass smashed.
“During that same time Mowat punched a woman in the face a number of times,” the fiscal continued. “She then also kicked a lady on the leg.
“Police were contacted and the accused were charged.”
Wilson admitted a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by uttering threats, shouting and swearing, and kicking and punching a glass door until it smashed.
Mowat, a trainee spray painter, admitted two separate charges of assault.
Defence agent Ian Woodward-Nutt said: “This incident took place on Christmas Eve and the position is that on the evening in question both parties had drunk far, far too much alcohol.
“Mr Wilson remembers very little of the incident and, as a result, he struggles to provide any mitigating explanation.
“His behaviour was utterly inexcusable and he is sorry that he conducted himself in such a way towards members of staff.”
‘Appalling behaviour’
He added that Mowat was equally as apologetic and was “deeply embarrassed” to find herself in court.
“Since this incident, she has drastically curtailed her use of alcohol,” he added.
Sheriff Graham Buchanan told the pair, of Great Western Road, Aberdeen, it was a “disgraceful incident” that featured “appalling behaviour” from them both.
Wilson was fined £990 and Mowat was ordered to pay £320.
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