Moray pensioner sentenced after foul-mouthed rant at partner and police in Hopeman home

A female pensioner has been placed under a six-month supervision order after a foul-mouthed rant at her partner and police officers.

Elgin Sheriff Court heard that Mary Riddell was found on the sofa in her home in Hopeman on November 26 last year by her partner who formed the opinion that she had been drinking.

The 70-year-old began to shout and scream abuse at him.

He phoned their daughter who could hear Riddell screaming over the phone.

She arrived at the home where Riddell was found lying next to the fire place.

However, she had not calmed down and the court heard how she then threw a fire poker which missed both her partner and their daughter.

Riddell continued to throw items around the house labelling her partner a “c***t” and a “b*****d”.

Police attended but Riddell continued with her tirade, threatening to barricade herself in her bedroom before directing her insults towards the officers.

She was subsequently taken to Elgin Police Station.

Defence solicitor Robert Cruickshank said Riddell, a first time offender, had reacted due to a “perceived wrong” by her partner.

She had taken medication and consumed alcohol which had wound her up into a state of “distress”.

The solicitor added how the experience has been a “chastening” one for her but added that despite the incident she was hopeful of reconciliation with her partner.

Sheriff David Harvie, who described the incident as “out of character” for the pensioner, imposed a six-month supervision order on Riddell.