Wick man told to apologise with flowers after admitting disorder at his parents home during sheriff court appearance
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A man shouted and swore at his parents then threw a plant pot and emptied their wheelie bin as he left their home.
It was not the first time that Jonathon Robertson's concerned parents had cause to worry about him and they decided action was necessary for his own good.
They reluctantly reported him to the police, Wick Sheriff Court heard today.
Sheriff Robert Frazer gave Robertson (26) a chance to make his peace with his father and mother and apologise to them, advising him to say it with flowers.
The accused admitted abusive and disorderly behaviour and a record.
The court was told that Robertson visited his parents in Nicolson Street, Wick on July 17.
However, they made it clear that they did not think he was in a fit condition to be in the house and asked him to leave.
Fiscal David Barclay told the court: "Robertson reacted badly to this and began to shout and swear at them.
"His parents are very supportive of him but have indicated there have been times when they felt he was heavily under the influence of something and can't be reasoned with.
"They were sensible enough to realise that their son's problem was not going to go away and reluctantly decided to contact the police."
Mr Barclay made the point that, when Robertson was not affected by drink or drugs, he was "a fine guy" and his parents were happy to see him.
Alex Burn, for Robertson, said that the accused had been struggling with substance and alcohol abuse at the time of the offence but was turning his life around and was no longer drinking or taking drugs.
The solicitor continued: "He has a job as a gas engineer and hopes to move to Inverness in connection with his employment."
He added: "I have every sympathy for his parents who are articulate, nice people in their early sixties."
Sheriff Frazer told Robertson, of Four Winds, Kilimster: " Your behaviour was completely unacceptable.
"You go round to your parents' house and behave like this, leaving them no option but to phone the police.
"Can you imagine the pain and distress you cause your parents when you behave in this way?
"They are worried about you.
"You are trying to sort yourself out and I accept that to some extent, but I want your parents to feel that you are making something of your life and that you are repaying the love and attention that they have given you throughout your life."
Sheriff Frazer deferred sentence for six months to allow Robertson to demonstrate he had "turned the corner" and added: "I expect you to be a model son to your parents."
He said the first step was to establish whether they wanted to have contact with him, advising Robertson to telephone them, apologise and send them a nice bunch of flowers.
However he also warned him: "If you mess up and upset them again, particularly over the Christmas and New Year period, expect no sympathy."
