Fine for carer who threw bottles into Wick street

Wick Sheriff Court heard about a night in the town when pedestrians had to watch their step and drivers had to swerve to avoid broken glass.

It led to police charging Paul McCann, who had thrown bottles out of his home.

The 54-year-old admitted charges of culpable or reckless conduct and threatening or abusive behaviour, as well as an offending record, when he appeared at the court on Thursday. He was fined a total of £660.

Fiscal David Barclay said that there was broken glass littering the pathway and the road in Huddart Street, Wick, forcing pedestrians and motorists to take evasive action.

The fiscal went on: "They had to alter course to avoid the broken glass."

Mr Barclay said that the police interviewed McCann after viewing CCTV footage of the incident on June 1, last year, but he resented their involvement in the matter and began to shout and swear at the officers.

The fiscal added: "It was clear that he was under the influence of alcohol."

McCann commented to the police at the time: "I was throwing the bottles because the council said they were not going to pick up the other stuff."

Willie Young said that McCann, of Huddart Street, Wick, had been acting as a carer for his mother who lives next door to him. The solicitor continued: "His mother has difficulty with alcohol which puts a significant strain on him while trying to support her."

Mr Young said that McCann had visited her on the evening of the offence only to find her heavily under the influence of alcohol. The accused made sure she was all right. He then arranged care for her and returned to his own home and started throwing the bottles out.

"He was very, very distressed," added Mr Young, who said that McCann remembered little of the incident but accepted that his behaviour had fallen far short of what was acceptable.

McCann was fined £400 for the bottle-throwing episode and £260 for threatening and abusive behaviour towards the police.