A "man of unblemished character" who strode right into a village pub with an axe and jammed it right into a desk earlier than terrified drinkers has been spared jail.
Christopher Tysall, 61, who believed his spouse Shona to have been insulted, flew to defend her honour "like a person in a Hollywood film", a court docket was advised.
It was Christmas Eve and the inn, the Tavern 1851, in Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire was crowded and stay music was in full swing.
The court docket heard that clients had been required to maneuver to accommodate the music, and Mrs Tysall, who had arrived earlier together with her husband for a meal, tried to sit down in a sales space the place a gaggle of individuals have been already ensconced.
One of many group, Thomas Irvine, objected to her presence, referring to Covid pointers then in drive. After an argument Mrs Tysall left the pub, awakened her husband who had gone residence earlier, and advised him concerning the row.
Tysall, who skilled children in carpentry earlier than working as a chef, grabbed the axe usually stored for chopping kindling, and returned to the inn.
Prosecutor Douglas Thomson stated he approached Mr Irvine, 43, with the axe in his hand and "instantly started to shout and swear about the way in which he had spoken to his spouse".
Tysall advised a "shaken" Mr Irvine: "I will chop." Mr Thomson, the depute fiscal, stated: "He then struck the desk prime with the axe while the witness Irvine was sat on the desk and said, 'subsequent time that will likely be you'."
He added: "A variety of patrons have been conscious of the incident, and different patrons eliminated Mr Tysall from the pub. Police have been referred to as to the scene, and Tysall was later arrested.
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Tysall, of Montgomery Place, Buchlyvie, who appeared for sentence at Falkirk Sheriff Courtroom, pleaded responsible to statutory breach of the peace, and having the axe as an offensive weapon within the pub on December twenty fourth 2021.
Solicitor Gordon Addison, defending, stated Tysall had just one earlier conviction -- nearly 30 years in the past, for rushing. He stated: "He is a tough employee, who has lived on this village for a while, not an enormous drinker.
"He'd led, till this, on Christmas Eve within the native pub, an easy and traditional life. He'd had that evening three or 4 pints, thought that was sufficient, and had gone residence, leaving his spouse with associates and neighbours."
Mr Addison stated one witness had described her as "being rebuffed by Mr Irvine, in a fashion that was insulting and provocative".
Mr Addison stated: "Because of this she went residence in tears. Mr Tysall misplaced management when she advised him, which is approach out of character for him.
"He picked up this axe which they used to separate sticks on the again door, went right down to the pub, jammed it into the desk, and had phrases with this man.
"If this was a Hollywood film, after all, that might be an act of nice value and respect for his spouse and a matter of honour, however after all it is not, and Mr Tysall has to face the music."
Producing a collection of character references, Mr Addison stated Tysall was "a worthwhile member of society, nicely considered in his group". Sheriff Craig Harris stated Tysall had precipitated concern to Mr Irvine "and all of these within the bar".
He stated: "You took a weapon right into a public place, your judgement was already impaired by the consumption of alcohol, and no one knew what was going to occur. No-one there knew you didn't intend to make use of it.
"Occasions may simply have escalated." Sparing Tysall jail, he sentenced him to hold out 120 hours of unpaid work as a direct different. He stated: "Aside from this you are of unblemished character, a hard-working, pro-social particular person.
"Together with your coaching and expertise in joinery and the like you can provide loads to the group through unpaid work."
Leaving court docket, Tysall ignored a reporter's request for a remark.
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