A man who shouted aggressively at staff in Brodick’s ferry terminal on the Isle of Arran has appeared in court.
Stephen Cox became abusive towards staff at the ticket office when they informed him he would have to use a different entrance.
Cox, of Hollows Avenue in Paisley, Renfrewshire then injured a man’s wrist when he was forced to wrestle him to the ground before police arrived on the scene.
The 57-year-old pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and assault when he appeared before Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.
The offences, which occurred on April 23, started when Cox asked staff if he could board the ferry from the wrong entrance.
Prosecutor Craig Wainwright told the court how staff, who were on duty at the ferry terminal at 4.20pm, spotted Cox approaching them.
He said: “The accused asked if he could board the ferry and the witnesses directed him to the passenger lounge.
“At this stage the accused became aggressive, approached the witnesses and started shouting, “do you think I’m a stupid c***?”
“He was asked to calm down and the witness requested assistance on his radio.”
Cox continued to shout and swear, stating: “You’re not going to stop me, you c***. Who the f*** do you think you are?”
More staff attended at the scene and Cox’s behaviour continued.
The court heard how he shouted in a staff member’s face: “I’m getting on the f*****g boat. I have got a ticket.
“What the f*** are you going to do about it, you c***?”
It was then that a staff member “had cause to wrestle the accused and he was taken to the ground”.
Mr Wainwright continued: “While being wrestled the accused kicked out with his legs.
“This resulted in him kicking the witness to his wrist.”
Police were called and, on arrival, spotted Cox shouting and swearing at staff.
He was placed in a police cell van and taken to Lamlash police office.
Mr Wainwright said: “While en route to Lamlash police office, the shouting and swearing continued and the accused repeatedly headbutted the cell door within the van.”
Cox’s defending agent told the court: “These are an unfortunate set of circumstances.
“He was unfamiliar with the new set-up at the terminal and people with bikes had joined the queue. Matters deteriorated quite quickly when he was told he was not getting on and would have to go back up the walkway.
“He accepts he completely lost control and there’s no excuse for that.”
He added: “His record is certainly not something he can take any pride from.”
Sheriff Higgins fined Cox a total of £450.
