A man ended up in the dock after a “practical joke” on his friend went wrong.
Brian Galbraith decided to prank Steven Dawson while he was out at the pub one night last October. It involved the 43 year-old making his way into neighbour Mr Dawson’s home in Glasgow’s Yoker.
Mr Dawson then returned around 10pm and instantly clocked belongings had been shifted with a window also open. He panicked and feared someone had broke in while he was out.
Fiscal Caitlin McAllister then told Glasgow Sheriff Court: “He went to his spare bedroom and could hear a noise coming from his cupboard.”
Mr Dawson opened it – and out popped his friend Galbraith munching a packet of crisps.
He told Mr Dawson: “I was just going to give you a fright.”
Galbraith soon left when he realised the man was not amused. Mr Dawson then went on to report Galbraith to police the next day leading to him being arrested.
The dad told officers: “I was trying to play a prank and sneak up on him. I went back and apologised to him this morning. I realised that he did not take it as a joke.
“I am remorseful and embarrassed.”
Galbraith has now pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening and abusive behaviour in connection with this incident. The court heard Galbraith had previously been in the armed forces with the Royal Logistics Corps which involved a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Referring to the ‘prank’, his lawyer Kirsty McGeehan said: “It is bizarre behaviour. He was found in the cupboard eating a packet of crisps.
“Prior to this, they were friends and they live beside each other. They would go in and out each other’s flats.”
Sheriff Anna Reid fined Galbraith – who now works for Ikea – £245. She said: “This was an ill-judged practical joke which caused Mr Dawson a fright.”
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