A man who urinated on a grave in full view of a family visiting an historic cemetery was spared jail on Monday.
Paul Lyon, 47, was seen “heavily intoxicated” in St Thomas’ Cemetery, Stirling, and police were called.
When they arrived they were “waved” towards Lyon by members of the public.
Prosecutor Amy Sneddon said: “He began to shout at the officers and was then observed to urinate on a grave nearby.
“He was instructed to desist but continued.”
Miss Sneddon said police noted “family members nearby whose attention was drawn to the accused by his behaviour”.
The depute fiscal added: “After finishing urinating, the accused turned towards the police [exposing himself].”
He was arrested and told cops: “I’m going to spit in your face”, uttering obscenities in the back of a police van en route to Falkirk Police Office.
The incident began about 5.30pm on April 21.
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Lyon, of Allanvale Road, Bridge of Allan, pleaded guilty at Stirling Sheriff Court to committing a statutory breach of the peace.
Solicitor Virgil Crawford, defending, said: “He had drunk a considerable amount of whisky and he was incredibly drunk.
“He is ashamed of his behaviour.”
Sheriff Keith O’Mahony fined Lyon £580.
St Thomas’s Cemetery was consecrated in 1949. It lies near the historic St Thomas’ Well, the waters of which are said to have been used to bless Robert the Bruce’s foot-soldiers prior to the Battle of Bannockburn.
