Members of the rival McPhee and Stewart families outside Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday (Image Sarah Takahashi/SWNS)
Police were rushed to a north-east court after tempers flared between rival gangs outside, leaving those in attendance unable to hear what was going on.
Proceedings were called to a halt at Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday after a chorus of raised voices from the front of the High Street building drowned out the discussions inside.
Two police cars and a police van pulled up outside the venue and officers got between the two groups in an attempt to defuse the situation.
Police within court also raced to assist.
A police spokeswoman confirmed that “additional officers” were called on to attend at Elgin Sheriff Court following reports of a disturbance.
Police attempt to hold back one gang member (Image Sarah Takahashi/SWNS)
She added: “A number of individuals were issued with a warning about their behaviour.”
It is understood that officers managed to reach the scene before the heated exchange turned violent.
Police rushed to the scene as tensions threatened to boil over (Image Sarah Takahashi/SWNS)
Court proceedings came to standstill after the disruption could be heard inside (Image Sarah Takahashi/SWNS)
Police were able to restore order before any violence broke out (Image Sarah Takahashi/SWNS)
