Police called to pub after pool queue row escalates

Craig Holburn threatened he was going to “kill someone” after the late night argument in the Railway Tavern in Grahams Road.

At Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday the 46-year-old was fined £600 – and warned if he behaves like that again he can be expect to be dealt with in a different way.

The court was told that around 11.30pm on February 11 Holburn was at the table and other customers were waiting for their turn to play, but there was “confusion” about who was next in line.

An argument then started between Holburn and another man which, after a heated exchange, saw the pair come together and Holburn being held in a headlock by his opponent.

As he shouted religiously offensive remarks, brandished a glass and struggled violently the police were called and he was arrested.

At an earlier court Holburn had appeared from custody to admit behaving in an aggressive and abusive manner and threatening violence.

His not guilty plea to assaulting Gerald Logan by throwing a glass at him was accepted by the Crown and he had sentence deferred for social workers to complete background reports.

Defence lawyer Martin Morrow said: “He spent two days in the cells for his stupid behaviour. He has shown genuine remorse for getting into trouble and knows the court can’t be impressed by his behaviour that night. The two days he spent in custody has served as a salutary reminder he should not behave in that way.”

Mr Morrow said Holburn was in a good job and in a position to pay a fine.

Sheriff Derek Livingston was told Holburn, from 3 Blackmill Crescent, Carron, had been convicted of a similar offence in 2015.

He warned him: “I think this is probably the last time you will be dealt with by way of a financial penalty.”

Holburn agreed to pay the fine at £100 a month.