Aviemore man threatened to stab his friend at Inverness house on Christmas Eve

A man threatened to stab a friend who was letting him spend Christmas Eve at his home.

Craig Brown (42) became aggressive when his friend asked for some alone time with his partner on December 24, 2023 at Myrtletown Park, Inverness.

Brown told the man and his partner, “I’m going to kill you” and “I’m going to stab you”, Inverness Sheriff Court was told.

Fiscal depute Rebecca Coakley told Sheriff Ian Cruickshank: “The accused had been staying with his friend and their partner during the festive period.

“On December 24, they had been drinking together and it was light. The complainer then said he wished to be alone with his partner and Brown brought up an unrelated topic and became hostile.”

She said he became aggressive and swore, making a threat to kill.

Asked to calm down it was then he made the stab threat, she said.

“He got to the patio door and continued to shout and then left.,” she added. “The complainers contacted the police.”

Brown was traced to the Co-op at Smithton Road, and when he was searched a baton was found down the front of his waistband.

Brown, of Sluggan Drive, Aviemore, pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and having a weapon in a public place.

Sheriff Cruickshank ordered him to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work within 12 months as an alternative to a custodial sentence.

Brown’s defence solicitor, Ruairidh Hood, said: “He recognises he needs help with his alcohol use.”