A man has been spared jail after going on a drunken rampage after he lost his horse Elvis in a split with his girlfriend.
William Moran split with his partner of 36 years Francine McDonald last year. In the ensuing 'divorce', the couple's large number of pets - several snakes, dogs, and horses, including Elvis - were divided in the break up.
Memories of their relationship, as well as losing ownership of the animals proved too much for Moran around Valentine's Day this year, the Daily Record reports.
As Moran, 48, struggled to deal with the break up, he got drunk on a Strawberry and Cream liqueur - and went on to commit three offences.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard he damaged property, was caught drinking in the street, acted aggressively and shouted and swore at police officers.
He committed the offences on February 15 - just days after he'd been released early from a previous sentence - in his home town of Paisley.
Last month, at a pre-trial hearing last month, Moran pleaded guilty to three charges - vandalism, drinking in the street and behaving in a threatening or abusive way.
Defence solicitor James Arrol explained: "He was released from custody on February 12, which was just a couple of days before these offences.
"He was staying with his former partner for a number of nights and was welcome to do so.
"This is certainly not the crime of the century.
"It is well documented that he and his partner kept a number of animals, including snakes, dogs and horses.
"When the relationship broke apart he lost some contact with the animals as well, which has come to him at a great cost."
Prosecutor Victoria Keel explained: "Police were requested to attend Fulbar Road, in order to trace an intoxicated male walking dangerously on the road.
"On attendance, police witnesses observed a male.
"He was later identified as the accused and was holding a bottle of Strawberry and Cream Sidekick, which is 14.5%, and he was actively drinking from it at the time."
The Procurator Fiscal Depute added Moran had been seen ripping the petrol cap off a grey Mini Cooper and throwing it away, before yelling, "go f*** yourself, you're all f****** c****!"
Sheriff James Spy said he would have caged Moran, who has a long record of previous convictions, for the offences.
But he said that, after listening to what Mr Arrol said on his behalf, he would call for background reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing and consider a non-custodial sentence.
As he did so, he said: "It occurs to me this was within days of being released from your last sentence.
"I'll call for [background] reports [to be prepared] but you're not going anywhere meantime.
"That doesn't mean I'll necessarily impose a non-custodial sentence."
