Man fined for swearing at police officers

THREATENING two police officers from the back of a patrol car earned a man a £100 fine at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Monday.

Iain Tulloch, 38, of the town’s Fogralea, admitted shouting aggressively at the policemen on Saturday as they travelled from Breiwick Road to the town’s police station.

The court heard Tulloch had been detained by the officers investigating a separate incident, and had taken exception to the procedures which were being carried out against him.

Shouting and swearing during the short car journey, he threatened to assault the officers when they arrived at the police station.

Defence agent Chris Dowle said Tulloch had taken out his anger on the officers because he was “very annoyed” at his detention.

He said the police should have been able to cope with his verbal tirade better. “The police officers ought to be able to deal with the situation when someone in the back of the car is mouthing off.”

He urged honorary sheriff George Henderson to spare him a custodial sentence, adding Tulloch had come through a “period of chaos in his life” having been released from prison in June.

Sheriff Henderson said Tulloch had committed a “fairly straightforward and comparatively minor breach of the peace”, to which he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

His fine was reduced from £150 because of his early plea.