Incident at Tesco supermarket in Forres saw drunken Moray carer demand ‘square go’ with employee

A man who demanded a ‘square go’ with a Tesco employee after being refused service has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.

On November 26 last year, Stuart Kitching travelled to the supermarket on Nairn Road in Forres to purchase cider at around 4.30pm.

He was refused service at checkout by an employee within the store due to his level of intoxication.

After being denied a second time at another checkout, the 49-year-old carer became aggressive and began shouting at an employee known to him, stating: “Me and you are done, we’re finished”.

Elgin Sheriff Court heard how Kitching’s aggressive behaviour continued as he challenged an employee to a “square go” outside the store.

He was ushered outside where he is said to have then blocked traffic at a zebra crossing next to the supermarket.

He continued acting aggressively, shouting: “You’re a f******g joke. Stick it up your a**e”.

At this point, Kitching is said to have a adopted a “fighting stance” in front of the employees with clenched fists in front of his face.

Police were contacted and he was subsequently arrested and charged.

Defence solicitor Matthew O’Neill said his client was “embarrassed” to have acted in such a way, adding that Kitching was heavily inebriated at the time of the incident.

On background, Mr O’Neill told the court that Kitching had previous “issues” with one of the employees at the store and that he usually does his best to avoid it if he can.

He added: “He is trying to improve his circumstances and his behaviour then is in complete contrast to how he presents himself now.”

Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov ordered Kitching to carry out 170 hours of unpaid work within six months.

She also placed him under 18 months of supervision for a separate incident on December 6 which involved Kitching sending threatening and abusive voicemail messages to his partner.