A first-time offender who was found drunk in a Paisley street with a golf club has been told to provide the court with documentation that shows he attends AA meetings.
David Sheppard, 27, was found in the town’s George Street with a golf-club on September 17, last year.
At the time, he wasn’t cautioned and charged by cops due to his “level of intoxication.”
Sheppard claims the incident has given him a “fright” and as a result, he has been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to address his unhealthy attitude with booze.
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At Paisley Sheriff Court, Sheriff Eoin McGinty told Sheppard to provide vouching of his attendance at the meetings to allow him to deal with the matter appropriately.
Procurator fiscal depute Maria Murdoch told the court the offence took place around 11pm on September 17, last year.
Ms Murdoch explained: “At the time of the offence, parties were not known to each other.
“Both the complainer and the accused were on George Street when an argument took place.
“The accused had a golf club at this time and was swinging it around.
“He was arrested but was not cautioned and charged due to the level of intoxication.”
Sheppard’s not guilty plea to a charge of causing fear or alarm on the same date in George Street towards Ryan Taylor, by uttering threats of violence and brandishing a golf club at him was accepted by the Crown.
Defence agent Ms Mulholland told the court how the groundworker has “no recollection of the incident due to his intoxication.”
Ms Mulholland added: “This has certainly given Mr Sheppard a fright, and since the incident he has been addressing his alcohol issues.
“He attends Alcoholics Anonymous twice weekly as he identified he has an issue with alcohol.
“This is his first time before a court and if you were to deal with this today, he would be in a position to pay a financial penalty.”
Sheriff Eoin McGinty was reluctant to deal with matters at the time and stated: “This was an offence of having a dangerous weapon, a golf club, in a main street in Paisley in the middle of the night.
“I’d be minded to call for reports but perhaps Mr Sheppard could provide some vouching documentation to prove his attendance at these meetings twice per week.”
Sheriff McGinty deferred sentence for Sheppard to provide proof documentation that he is attending Alcoholics Anonymous.
Sheppard of Paisley’s George Street will return to court on June 22.
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