BOXER JOHN DOCHERTY FINED FOR THREATENING WOMAN IN STONEHAVEN

A former top international boxer has been fined after he made a series of threats to a woman in Stonehaven. Commonwealth bronze medal-winner John Docherty appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, where he admitted making threatening remarks to the woman on Thursday afternoon last week. Docherty, aged 27, was driving through Stonehaven when a woman shouted something at him. In response, he called the woman a "rat" and threatened to smash her phone. His solicitor, Natasha Martin, acknowledged that her client knew he had verbally lashed out and agreed he should not have retaliated in this manner. Docherty, who secured a bronze medal for Scotland at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, trained at Aberdeen’s Byron Boxing Club before the incident. It was also reported that Docherty narrowly kept his driving license when he was caught doing 105mph in an uninsured car last year. The court was told that prior to the recent incident, there had been a disagreement between Docherty and the complainant, who were familiar with each other. On April 3, this year, at around 3:40 pm, the woman was in a front garden on Burns Terrace, Stonehaven, with a friend when Docherty drove onto the street. She shouted at him, and he responded with abusive language, calling her a "f****** rat" and threatening to damage her phone. The woman went inside but could still hear Docherty shouting. After warning him that police had been contacted, Docherty was cautioned and charged. He pleaded guilty to behavior that was threatening or abusive, and the court fined him £185. Docherty expressed remorse, acknowledging he could have acted differently during the incident. He currently has full-time employment and is capable of paying the fine. The sheriff decided a fine was the most suitable penalty for his behavior, considering the circumstances.