Man threatened cannibalism and spat at members of a Nairn bus queue on Christmas Eve two years ago

People waiting for a bus in Nairn on Christmas Eve two years ago were shocked when a local man threatened to eat the trio in the queue.

John Stewart, of Queen Street, admitted threatening behaviour at the bus station on December 24, 2019 and spitting at them.

At Inverness Sheriff Court, he also pleaded guilty to a breach of a police bail undertaking not to enter an address in Lochdhu Gate, Nairn.

Defence solicitor Rory Gowans told the court: “He was aware that one of the three people had vandalised his mother’s home and he reacted.

“He is 35 now, is getting his own house and realises that this is not the way to behave.”

Placing Stewart on a one-year community payback order with a requirement to have alcohol and drug treatment, Sheriff Gary Aitken told Stewart: “This was quite unpleasant whether or not there was a background of vandalism. It is not the way to behave in a public place. It seems you have finally got to the point of growing up, so I will give you the chance.”

But the sheriff warned him that if he did not comply with the order, he would be jailed for 12 months.