Perth man challenged to ‘graveyard duel’ after funeral

A furious man challenged a relative to a “fatal” graveyard duel and warned him “only one of us will get out alive,” a court heard.

Randolph Angus, 60, has challenged Kenneth Clarke to meet him in a fight to the death at Grayfriers Cemetery in Perth after he allegedly refused to shake his hand at a funeral.

Speaking outside Perth Sheriff Court, Angus, who admitted to causing fear or alarm, said he told Mr Clarke to “arm up” for a scuffle behind a shed during a threatening phone call.

Taxes MP Sarah Wilkinson told the court: “There was a long-standing family dispute between [Angus] and Mr. Clarke.’

A court heard neither man spoke to the other at the family funeral on March 8.

The following day, at around 1.45pm, Angus called his relative from his work car and Mr Clarke remained silent throughout the call.

‘[Angus] asked [Mr Clarke] to leave his mother alone,” Ms Wilkinson said. ‘[Angus] got excited immediately. He agreed [Mr Clarke] to meet him behind a shed in Greyfriars Cemetery and told him to bring tools.

“He said only one of them would come out alive.”

Angus ended the call after dropping the challenge.

Solicitor Paul Ralph said: “Mr Angus knows that coming to court at the age of 60 is not a very edifying spectacle.

“He admits it just annoyed him. It elicited the reaction, which he knows was in no way appropriate.”

Sheriff Robert Carr delayed Angus’ sentencing by six months to give him a chance to prove he can avoid trouble.

He said: “As Mr Ralph said, this was not appropriate behavior at all, but I understand that you feel remorse.”

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