A Moray man sprayed liquid manure through his former neighbour’s letterbox because of a six-year grudge over dog fouling.
Sixty-two-year-old Stewart Reid told police officers after the bizarre attack that he was “sorry” for what he had done.
He appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday and admitted threatening and abusive behaviour towards the occupants of the home he targeted and possessing a knife.
Reid launched his attack at the house in New Aberdour’s High Street, at 4am on September 5.
Fiscal Stephanie Ross told the court that Reid, who knew the occupants of the house from when he used to live in the village, sprayed a foul-smelling, brown liquid through the letterbox using a bottle.
He also splashed paint on the outside of the property before running away.
Reid, whose address was given in court papers as 1 Moray View, Portknockie, was caught soon after the attack by the property owners’ son, who saw him running from a lane.
Police officers who searched Reid around 4.20am found a knife.
His car, which was parked outside the village, contained more bottles of both the manure and liquid mixture and paint.
“At that point he said he’d pay for the damage and was sorry,” the fiscal said.
The court heard the post-attack clean-up cost about £200, and the incident was the culmination of a six-year grudge Reid held over a dog fouling dispute with his former neighbours.
Ms Ross said: “There had been an altercation some six years ago. Matters had been getting to him since then.”
Reid’s agent, solicitor Gail Wiggins, said her client was “wholly embarrassed” by his actions.
Sheriff Andrew Miller deferred sentence until February 23 for background reports.