A student who sparked an unsavoury bust-up with a shopkeeper in a row over a pie has been fined £300.
Reece Savery returned to the shop and threatened to knock the store worker's head off after claiming he had suffered food poisoning.
The 28-year-old college student blamed the shop owner for him falling ill and accused them of unhygienic food handling procedures.
Savery, from Dundee, lashed out after claiming he had fallen ill in the wake of eating the pie sold to him by Haldane Stores in his home city.
He bought the pie and left to eat it but returned sometime later and made threats after telling staff he blamed it for a bout of food poisoning.
Savery accused the staff of handling the meat treat without using gloves or tongs, Dundee Sheriff Court was told.
He told shop owner Balbil Sharma he would "knock his head off" before knocking several bread rolls off the counter and challenging the shopkeeper to fight.
Fiscal depute Sue Ruta said Savery raised his concerns with a member of staff at 11am on 11 May last year after having bought the pie a few days prior.
She told the court: "The accused seemed to think that given the Covid-19 situation it had been contaminated by the staff member.
"Attempts were made to reassure the accused, but he began shouting threats that were violent in nature."
Savery, Forres Avenue, initially challenged Mr Sharma to a fight outside the shop, before shouting: "I'll knock your head off."
He was asked to leave before knocking the rolls to the ground from the till area.
Savery admitted shouting, swearing, acting aggressively and making threats of violence towards Mr Sharma before knocking over a basket containing food.
Solicitor Doug McConnell, defending, told the court that Savery had been of good behaviour since the incident and was now studying at a local college.
Sheriff Derek Reekie fined Savery £300 and said: "He has had a chequered history but I have been assured he is turning his life around.
"This was a nasty offence in the shop. You bought a pie and later went back to remonstrate with the shop owner. I am encouraged that you have been of good behaviour since."
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