Courts in Moray: Drunk reveller stumbled into neighbour's home

A man has appeared in court after he got so drunk he staggered into his neighbour's home, thinking it was his own.

Elgin Sheriff Court heard that the neighbour was woken during the early hours of December 16.

Fiscal depute Emma MacEwan said: "The witness was asleep upstairs when he became aware of his two dogs barking.

"This was unusual so he came downstairs into the kitchen."

Realising that the light was on the neighbour then walked into his conservatory where he came face-to-face with Alexander Nugent.

The court was told that, when asked what he was doing, Nugent immediately became aggressive and confrontational.

Retreating to his kitchen and locking the door, the neighbour phoned the police.

Ms MacEwan added that, as officers were leading Nugent from the house, he looked over his shoulder towards the neighbour and said: "You're dead."

Police conducted a search in their van outside.

This revealed Nugent had a bag of white powder in one of his pockets.

The bag was later found to contain 4.8 grammes of cocaine, costing about £200.

Defence solicitor Matthew O'Neill said his 43-year-old client had always got on well with his neighbour in the past.

He added that Nugent had no memory of, nor explanation for, his actions that night.

Mr O'Neill said: "All he can do is apologise for his deeply embarrassing behaviour."

The lawyer then pointed out that the offence had taken place shortly before Christmas.

Mr O'Neill stated that Nugent, who lives in Kintessack, had bought the cocaine during the course of his evening out.

Sheriff Robert McDonald imposed a £740 fine, payable at a rate of £100 per month.