A MAN TRIED to pick a fight in a Moray pub before attacking a fellow drinker with a pool cue, Elgin Sheriff Court was told on Thursday.

Padraig Cafferkey admitted threatening drinkers at Keith’s Commercial Hotel in September last year, attempting to goad them into a fight before lashing out at Ian Mitchell with the cue.

Defending the 26-year-old, who lives at Edindiach Road in Keith, solicitor James McKay said that Cafferkey had undergone a “severe change” in his general behaviour since the incident, and was now in a stable relationship with his partner and child.

Mr McKay added that his client had “nearly stopped” drinking alcohol altogether since the incident and that any custodial sentence would mean he could not make his contributions to his family.

Sheriff David Hall said that he would show mercy on Cafferkey and not impose a custodial sentence, instead ordering him to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work as well as £500 in compensation to his victim.

He will also be placed under supervision by the social work department for two years and was ordered not to enter the Commercial Hotel.