Forres musician Dave Levon sentenced for threatening Moray MP Douglas Ross

A musician has been ordered to carry out unpaid work for abusing Moray's MP and his constituency office staff in Forres.

David Levon appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court today having previously been found guilty following a trial.

The 59-year-old was convicted of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards Douglas Ross and Conservative party staff on two occasions between May 9 and November 11, 2020.

Defence solicitor Andrew Ormiston stated his client has since had an appointment with a psychologist and, although his political opinions have not changed, he now accepts he should communicate them in a more measured manner.

Mr Ormiston said: "He recognises that others would have seen his comments as threatening and abusive.

"It seems that he has learned that direct confrontation is not appropriate."

Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov briefly made reference to incidents where politicians have been the victims for violence, although she accepted that wasn't the situation in this case.

She added: "What you were accusing the government of wasn't in fact correct.

"You received some education during the trial.

"It pays to listen as well as to give your opinions at times."

Levon, whose address was given in court papers as Forres High Street, was placed under the supervision of social workers for the next 12 months.

In addition, he was told he must carry out 150 hours of unpaid work for the community.