Alyth trouble-maker lands in court

Oct 22 2010 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A KNOWN Alyth trouble-maker was banned from every pub within a 10-mile radius because of his unruly conduct, Perth Sheriff Court was told.

But that didn’t stop 47-year-old Andrew Cameron, of Bank Street, going into the local hotel and ordering a beer.

The assistant manager at the Alyth Hotel in Commercial Street knew he was barred through the local Pub Watch scheme and asked him to leave, which he did.

But he returned a few minutes later and was seen approaching customers asking them to buy him a drink.

Depute fiscal Katie Pacholek said: “He was asked to leave about five times but refused.

“He was drunk and a member of staff attempted to assist him from the premises,” she added. “He told her not to touch him and the police were called.”

He was traced within the bar and was described as officers as “extremely intoxicated”.

“Out on the street he began to shout and swear at the police,” stated Ms Pacholek. “Police warned him several times as there were children congregating in the area and was then arrested.”

The incidents led to Cameron being ordered to carry out 150 hours of community service after he admitted committing breaches of the peace in the Alyth Hotel on July 16 – and in the street outside.

Solicitor Mike Tavendale said at one time Cameron worked in the licenced trade down south and at times had “struggled” with alcohol.

Sheriff Robert McCreadie noted from a background report that the accused continued to believe that alcohol wasn’t a problem in itself.

“He needs to be disabused of that. It is obvious this gentleman has a serious alcohol problem.

“Until he acknowledges that, it’s unlikely he will ever change. Perhaps it’s unlikely anyway at the age of 47.

“It’s palpably obvious you can’t control your drinking. You are a menace - that’s why you have banned from all pubs in a 10-mile radius.”

The sheriff branded his conduct as “despicable” and said he was at the custody threshold.

He hadn’t assaulted anyone, however, and Sheriff McCreadie said he was prepared to imposed the alternative to a jail term.