Fine for drunk who caused disturbance at party

Mar 4 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A DRUNKEN disturbance at a New Year’s party landed a West Lothian man with a fine when he appeared in court.

Gary Neilson got into an argument with another guest at the party which took place at a neighbour’s house in Uphall Station in the early hours of January 1 this year, Livingston Sheriff Court heard.

Other partygoers tried to split up the pair and when this happened the 27-year-old began to shout and swear and a scuffle broke out.

Neilson was eventually thrown out the house and the police were called to the incident.

They found Neilson on the street with a laceration above his left ear and took him to St John’s Hospital for treatment and then to Livingston Police Station.

At the court, Neilson, whose address was given as Nettlehill Road, Uphall Station, pled guilty to causing a breach of the peace.

His solicitor, Gerry Whitten, told the court his client had been assaulted during the incident.

“He and other members of his family were invited to the house to join in the New Year celebrations,” Mr Whitten said.

“The evening seemed to go quite normally at first but everyone, including my client, had been drinking and some sort of argument took place at some point.

“He was eventually ejected from the house but before that happened he says that he was struck on the head with a bottle.’

“He was taken to St John’s Hospital where he had a number of stitches to the cut above his ear.”

Fining him £235 Sheriff Douglas Kinloch warned Neilson to stay out of trouble in the future.

Sheriff Kinloch added: “Everyone had been drinking which no doubt contributed to this offence but according to your record you have been in a lot of trouble in the past.

“You (Neilson) have six previous convictions for breach of the peace and you have been to prison for a very serious offence.

“Because it seems that you were assaulted and because you have not been in so much trouble over the past few years I am only going to impose a fine.

“However, if you miss a single payment then you will be given the alternative of 14 days imprisonment because of your record in the past.”