A dad-of-two has been fined for brandishing a bow and arrow during a quad bike dispute with his pals in East Ayrshire.
Robbie Jones, 23, from Dalfarson Avenue in Bellsbank, armed himself with the weapon after a disagreement over a damaged quad bike came to a head on July 30, 2021 at his home address, where he lives with his parents.
Ayr Sheriff Court heard Jones and the two complainers had been childhood friends and had been out on quad bikes before one was returned damaged.
A row erupted before Jones went inside his house and grabbed his brother’s archery bow and three arrows.
Solicitor Peter Lockhart said: “The two complainers have been known to the accused and been friends since childhood.
“They had been out on quad bikes and there had been damage to one of the quad bikes.
“There has been a row with the accused.
“The accused’s father came out and tried to calm things down. The father then called the police.
“The mother has came out and persuaded them to go home and she suffered from a panic attack and collapsed.
“The accused went to his brother’s room and got a bow and arrow.
“He told me: ‘My brother died three years ago and was interested in archery. I picked up three arrows and went outside’, and thereafter matters continued from there."
Mr Lockhart said Jones “accepts this was not the way to behave” and added that both complainers were charged with breach of the peace and vandalism.
Mr Lockhart said: “He realises that was an error on his part. He pled guilty at the earliest opportunity.
“He describes the type of bow and arrow that was used as for basic archery.
“I don’t think it’s one of these crossbow sophisticated types.”
The procurator fiscal confirmed the bow and arrow was used for basic archery and no arrows were fired at either complainer.
The fiscal told Sheriff Foran: “It appears to be standard archery equivalent with no modifications. It has not been pointed at anyone.”
Sheriff Foran told Jones: “I was extremely alarmed when I first read this; my alarm is only narrowly reduced from what I’ve heard today.
“It is thankful your father had the presence of mind to step in.”
Jones was fined a total of £420, which he will pay back at £40 per week.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
