Stag night shenanigans involving a Highland fling and tomato sauce left a groom in deep trouble yesterday, on the eve of his wedding.
Scott William McLeod (27), a mechanic, was supposed to be spending time yesterday finalising things for his nuptials today but instead he was in the Alexandra District Court, before Judge Stephen Coyle.
''He's in deep trouble,'' counsel Russell Checketts said. McLeod admitted a charge which arose from his stag night in Queenstown on December 7, of behaving in a disorderly manner in a public place, likely to cause violence to property.
Prosecutor, Sergeant Ian Collin, said McLeod was intoxicated and had been asked to leave a Queenstown bar. He finally left and then, with the encouragement of his friends, he jumped on to an outdoor table for a Highland fling, while being squirted with tomato sauce by his mates. He told police later ''it was a bit of a dare''.
Mr Checketts said: ''He was wearing a kilt, your Honour''. The groom-to-be was apologetic and Mr Checketts asked Judge Coyle ''in the spirit of Christmas giving'', to keep any fine at a low level because of the wedding expenses McLeod was about to incur.
''We know marriage is a great institution, and I'm hoping it will have the effect on him that it had on you and I, '' Mr Checketts told the judge.
Judge Coyle fined McLeod $400, court costs $130 and said he did not begrudge anyone going out and having a good time but they should make sure their behaviour did not affect other people.
''Part of getting married is growing up, taking on responsibility and commitment.''
