Ex-army man Darling falls in bush after Tamfourhill police attack

Kristopher Darling (42) met his neighbours in the street as they were driving home and proceeded to make a nuisance of himself, punching one man and then threatening and struggling with police when they arrived to deal with matters.

Darling, 98 Victoria Road, Falkirk, appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday having admitted behaving in a threatening manner in Cumbrae Drive, Tamfourhill on May 5 last year.

Katie Cunningham, procurator fiscal depute, said: “It was 6.30pm and the witnesses were driving home after a meal. They saw a drunk male standing in the middle of the road. He appeared to be extremely intoxicated and asked them if he could come into their house.

“He followed them to their house and continuously attempted to get into their garden. The witnesses repeatedly asked him to leave. They were concerned because they had their young granddaughter with them.

“The accused became aggressive and hostile and began shouting and swearing, challenging the witness to a fight. Out of nowhere, the accused threw a punch at the witness, striking him on the chin.

The witness threw a punch back and the accused stumbled backwards, his nose bleeding. Police arrived at the scene and saw the accused standing in the garden. He was asked to join officers and get out of the garden and then he became aggressive, saying he was going to punch them.

“He told them ‘I will knock you out – let’s go’ and began to struggle with officers, but ended up falling in a bush.”

The court heard Darling was planning to move south down to Lancashire.

Defence solicitor Martin Morrow said: “Since he left the army his way of dealing with things is to drink too much and run away from his problems.”

Sheriff Derek Livingston fined Darling £540 to be paid back at a rate of £10 per week.