THE doors of a Dunfermline doctors’ surgery had to be locked after a drunk caused a disturbance there.

Serial offender Paul Reid had no reason to be at the practice but wandered in intoxicated and began pestering patients waiting for their appointments then refused to leave.

Staff recognised Reid as he had done the same thing previously, Dunfermline Sheriff Court was told.

Reid, 42, of New Row, Dunfermline, admitted that on October 28, at Nethertown Surgery, Elliot Street, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing and acting aggressively.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said that Reid entered the surgery at 12.20pm.

She continued: “There were several patients waiting to be seen. He went to the reception and started saying there should be two people working there.

“The receptionist told him to leave. She recognised him as someone who had caused trouble there before.”

Reid continued to pester patients in the waiting area and when told again to leave he responded by shouting: “F*** off.”

The depute went on: “The receptionist was quite shaken. The accused then left the building and was outside shouting and swearing. His behaviour was escalating and the practice manager decided to lock the door from the inside to keep him out.”

Defence solicitor Roshni Joshi said: “He has a long-standing difficulty with alcohol. He accepts his behaviour was wholly inappropriate but has a limited memory of the incident.

“I believe he’s not served a jail sentence as yet.”

Sheriff Alastair Brown responded: “Yes, as yet.”

The sheriff told Reid: “People can be there with serious concerns about their health and they can do without your nonsense.

“It is open to me to send you to prison and I may do that.”

The sheriff called for reports and Reid will be sentenced on March 11.