Dunkeld man attacked car with axe

Feb 5 2010

A DRUNKEN Dunkeld man caused more than £1000 worth of damage to his father’s car after attacking it with an axe following a Christmas Day bust-up.

But he was spared a jail sentence at Perth Sheriff Court this week after his dad pleaded for leniency.

The court was told there was no spirit of goodwill evident when Gregor Marnoch (35), of Parkview, Station Road, arrived late for the festive meal in Murthly.

He became involved in an argument and left. But he returned soon afterwards with an axe and struck a window in the front door, of the house causing £50 worth of damage.

He then turned his attention to his father’s car, smashing the front, rear and two offside windows with the weapon, running up a £1100 bill.

Solicitor David Holmes said that alcohol had been “taken to excess that day”.

But he submitted a letter from the accused’s father, Russell Marnoch, who described his son as “his own worst enemy” and appealed for leniency.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis noted that the accused had previously been given probation on three previous occasions.

But he took on board what was contained in the letter and was prepared to follow the recommendations of the social inquiry report.

But he warned Marnoch that “enough was enough.”

He put him on probation for 18 months with a condition that he undertake alcohol counselling and treatment, as directed.

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work – a direct alternative to prison.

The Sheriff made no order for the accused to repay the cost of the damage.

That could be done between the accused and his father, if necessary.

Marnoch pled guilty to damaging the door and the car at 19 Broompark Crescent, Murthly, on December 25, causing extensive damage.