OFFENDER INVOLVED IN PUBLIC INDECENCY AND THREATENING BEHAVIOUR IN PERTH
A man intoxicated and causing disorder at Perth’s Asda supermarket was caught in the act of exposing himself and later attempted to drink from a can of Dragon Soop while police questioned him about his behavior.Last month, Peter McDonald caused concern among staff at the Dunkeld Road branch by entering the store without a shirt and struggling to fasten the straps on his backpack.
After he was escorted outside, he proceeded to expose himself and later directed homophobic insults at officers who intervened to restrain him.
McDonald is due for sentencing at Perth Sheriff Court next month following social worker interviews.
According to Crown prosecutor Angie Clay, around 10.20pm on June 25, two witnesses observed McDonald entering the premises topless.
They asked him to put on his T-shirt, which he did reluctantly, but it was evident he was intoxicated and unable to manage simple tasks like adjusting his bag straps.
The staff then asked him to leave as his behavior was deemed unsuitable for the store.
Police were called to the scene after witnesses saw McDonald touching himself over his clothing and exposing his genitals, which he briefly squeezed before replacing inside his shorts.
When police arrived, McDonald retrieved a can of Dragon Soop from his bag and attempted to drink it, but officers quickly confiscated the drink.
He then became aggressive, flailing his arms, and had to be restrained on the ground.
During the incident, McDonald insulted an officer, calling him a paedophile and using homophobic language.
He was later taken to Dundee’s West Bell Street police station, held overnight in cells, and released on bail the following day with a court-imposed curfew from 7pm to 7am.
McDonald, who lives in Kirkcaldy, pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening or abusive behavior, which was amended from other accusations.
He admitted to making threats of violence, making offensive and homophobic remarks, touching himself over his clothing, and exposing his genitals.
Previously, three months earlier, he had been released from Dunfermline Sheriff Court on bail.
He also pleaded not guilty to engaging in sexual activity in front of two staff members, with that plea being accepted.
Defense solicitor Pauline Cullerton explained her client is not local but has family ties in Perth, despite previous convictions in the city.
She emphasized that McDonald was under the influence of alcohol, an issue he has struggled with since he was 14, and that he was engaged with support services.
Mrs Cullerton noted her client had been attending Alcoholics Anonymous sessions three to four times weekly but had been unable to continue due to his court curfew.
Sheriff Alison McKay delayed the sentencing until August, ordered additional reports, and softened the curfew by two hours to allow McDonald to attend AA meetings again.
It was acknowledged that McDonald’s conduct lacked a significant sexual motive and that he would not be registered as a sex offender.
