Architect chased child with meat cleaver after heavy drinking

A senior council architect who chased a child with a meat cleaver has been ordered to carry out community service.

Colin Doig, 57, who works for Aberdeen City Council, had been drinking a large amount of wine when the incident happened in Dundee.

He previously admitted acting aggressively towards the teenager, and assaulting a woman to her injury, in November 2022.

At Dundee Sheriff Court, the first offender, of Broughty Ferry, was ordered to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work.

The court previously heard how the teenager, who cannot be identified, told police he feared for his life while being chased by Doig.

Doig had shared three bottles of wine with another person, and a witness told police he had consumed most of it.

Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith said Doig has pled guilty at an early stage and was in continuous good employment.

"The consumption of alcohol will never provide a defence and the consumption of alcohol will not provide proper mitigation," he said.

"The sentence is a direct alternative to custody."

The court was told that Doig was continuing to work in Aberdeen and arrangements would be made for him to carry out unpaid work at weekends.

Aberdeen City Council said in a statement: "We wouldn't comment on matters pertaining to individual staff members."