INVERNESS MAN JOHN MACKAY'S REIGN OF TERROR AT LOCAL SHOPS AND BARS

John Mackay, a 50-year-old resident of Inverness, has become notorious for his repeated and aggressive misconduct in various public venues across the city. His troubling behavior has drawn the ire of local authorities and the community alike, culminating in a series of serious charges that landed him before Inverness Sheriff Court.

According to court reports, Mackay appeared in court from custody to face multiple allegations stemming from his disruptive actions over recent months. The sheriff overseeing the case described Mackay as 'a complete menace when drunk,' highlighting the severity of his conduct and the ongoing pattern of abuse directed at retail and hospitality staff in Inverness.

The legal proceedings revealed that Mackay had pleaded guilty to stealing items from local stores. Specifically, he admitted to taking £149 worth of CDs and DVDs from the HMV store located within the Eastgate Shopping Centre on April 11 and 12. Unfortunately, none of the stolen goods were recovered during the investigation. His criminal record also includes aggressive and threatening behavior towards staff at CEX and Poundland on Inverness High Street during March and April. These incidents occurred after he requested carrier bags, which were refused, and he had prior bans from Poundland, making his actions even more troubling.

Further charges detailed his violent outbursts in public venues. Mackay was found guilty of spitting at bar staff, shouting, swearing, and making threats of violence at Jimmy Badger’s and the Mercure Hotel Bar on November 24, 2024. Witnesses reported that he was ejected from the premises but attempted to re-enter, during which he spat at staff members. His conduct did not stop there; he resisted arrest, made offensive and sexualized comments towards police officers, and threatened their families. During detention, he spat inside a police van cell, demonstrating a blatant disregard for authority and safety.

Adding to his list of offenses, Mackay entered Tesco Metro on December 12 despite being on bail and banned from the store. Inside, he swore at staff, smashed bottles, drank from one of them, and spat on the floor. These actions occurred while he was under strict bail conditions prohibiting him from entering Tesco, further illustrating his defiance of court orders.

Overall, Mackay faced a total of five charges related to aggressive behavior, three charges of threatening conduct, two counts of shoplifting, and one breach of bail conditions. The sheriff, Gary Aitken, sentenced him to 18 months of social work supervision coupled with mandatory alcohol treatment. The sheriff issued a stern warning that any breach of these conditions would result in imprisonment. He criticized Mackay’s persistent targeting of shop staff and emphasized that his behavior, especially when intoxicated, was unacceptable and dangerous. The court’s verdict underscored the importance of stopping Mackay’s disruptive actions, which the sheriff described as harmful to the community and incompatible with societal standards of conduct.