A WEE County sheriff blasted a lad for throwing a smoke bomb into a pub - citing events like last week's senseless Westminster attack as one of the reasons why people would panic at the accused's foolish joke.

On Thursday, fiscal depute Adrian Fraser told Alloa Sheriff Court that it was around 2.50pm on October 22 last year when the door to The County Bar in Clackmannan was opened and a red flare was thrown in.

There were only six or seven customers inside, but they had to be evacuated because of the smoke. By the time they got outside the person responsible was out of sight.

The police retrieved a wrapper from down the street and after enquiries were carried out Malcolm Marshall was arrested after he was recorded on CCTV carrying out the culpable and reckless crime.

When interviewed by officers, the 21-year-old admitted: "I was just walking by and thought it would be quite funny."

Marshall, of Erskine Street in Clackmannan, stressed that he didn't mean to harm anyone.

Defending, Kelly Howe claimed that her client understood the impact his "impulsive" action would have had on those in the bar.

She said: "It was a hugely stupid decision."

The accused was said to come from a stable family background and had a good work ethic.

Ms Howe blamed alcohol misuse and a bad choice of friends at the time as factors that led to the incident.

She added that Marshall was "keen not to return to the criminal courts".

Sheriff David Mackie acknowledged the accused's remorse.

He said: "You realise how foolish this was."

Sheriff Mackie highlighted the recent Westminster attack as to why people would rightfully panic in situations similar to the one caused by Marshall.

The accused was thereafter sentenced to a Community Payback Order with 100 hours of unpaid work to be completed within three months.