Moray Courts: Sheriff tells Forres defendant to 'grow up'
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A defendant was told it was "time to grow up" during his appearance at Elgin Sheriff Court.
Stuart Swanson was in the dock to answer charges he had caused a disturbance at Dr Gray's Hospital.
The court heard that the 50-year-old was being treated for long-standing issues related to alcohol.
However, after learning he had come into some money, he left the hospital grounds and went to the nearby Esso garage.
Two porters later got a message to come to another part of the hospital.
When they arrived on the scene they found Swanson, who was carrying a bag and appeared to be drunk.
While being led back to his ward he became aggressive and started to shout and swear.
Going down a flight of stairs Swanson he then threw his bag.
It landed at the bottom with a smash as several bottles of alcohol broke.
Swanson, whose address was given in court papers as Batchen Street, Forres, pleaded guilty to acting in a threatening and abusive manner at the hospital on July 14, 2021.
He was ordered to comply with Moray Council's social work department until his next court appearance which was set for June 8.
Earlier in the day Swanson had been asked to leave the courtroom for failing to keep quiet while other cases were being heard.
When it was his time to appear in the dock, Sheriff Gordon Lamont told him that, given his previous record, he was on "thin ice" and in danger of being jailed.
Sheriff Lamont said: "This type of offending can't go on."
Swanson answered: "Yes, I know."
To which the sheriff replied: "It's your turn to listen, not to speak. When this case comes back to court in three months' time I will be expecting a glowing report.
"It's time to grow up Mr Swanson. Otherwise the court will have no confidence in your ability to do anything other than to re-offend."
