Elgin man admits shouting and swearing at his ‘elderly, grieving’ mother

A sheriff has criticised the “disgusting behaviour” of an alcoholic who told his elderly, grieving mother it was “about time she was dead”.

Elgin Sheriff Court heard that Finley Wood also called his mother a “f*****g witch”, after she refused to give him the car keys over concerns he had been drinking.

Solicitor Megan Lee said the 46-year-old pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive behaviour towards his victim, by shouting, swearing and repeatedly striking a door.

However, the charge had been amended to remove an allegation that Wood, of Hazel Court, Elgin, threatened his mother with violence.

Fiscal depute Karen Poke told the court that the man had been living with his mother at her property near Knockando after the death of her husband.

“She described the accused as having an alcohol problem and being aggressive when he drinks, which does frighten her,” Ms Poke said.

The court heard that the situation escalated after Wood, of Hazel Court, Elgin, tried to borrow a car parked at the property.

His mother, however, believed her son had been drinking and “refused to give him the keys”.

Ms Poke said Wood then called her a “f*****g witch”, adding that it was “about time she was dead”.

The court heard that the woman was in the bedroom when her son began “banging on the door” while looking for the keys.

Ms Poke said Wood’s mother heard him “going around the house for what she described as hours, shouting and screaming”.

At around 11.30pm that evening, the man resumed “hitting and banging on the door again, trying to get the car keys”.

The elderly widow then “barricaded herself in the bedroom using a chair”, the fiscal depute told the court, before calling 999.

She also contacted a friend, Ms Poke said, who described her as “very distressed and crying”.

Police officers later tracked down the “clearly intoxicated” Wood, who was cautioned, arrested and taken to Elgin police station.

The man was eventually released on an undertaking.

Ms Poke confirmed that while there was no domestic aggravation listed on the charge, the victim backed a non-harassment order forbidding contact between the two.

Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov described Wood’s actions as “disgusting behaviour” towards an “elderly, grieving lady”.

Sentencing of the man was adjourned until May 1, to allow social work reports to be drawn up.