Court told man grabbed police officer by throat after drinking session

A man struggled violently with police officers and grabbed one of them by the throat following his first drinking session after being released early from custody.

Dale Henry, 28, of Nederdale, was given his liberty on 19th July, two months before his intended release date.

However on Sunday he breached the peace and fought with another man at a house in Haldane Burgess Crescent after drinking alcohol.

He struggled with police officers attending the scene, injuring one of them by grabbing his throat. His bad behaviour continued in a police vehicle on its way to the Gilbert Bain. He carried on breaching the peace once the vehicle had arrived at the hospital.

Henry was kept in the cells until a court appearance on Monday.

Honorary Sheriff George Sutherland heard Henry had no recollection of events, but accepted his responsibility for what had happened.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Henry tended to get into trouble after drinking alcohol.

He said this was the first time he had taken drink since being released from prison.

Mr Allan said Henry was sorry for what had happened, and had apologised to the officers involved.

He added Henry would “welcome” the opportunity of a restriction of liberty order.

Honorary Sheriff Sutherland remanded him in custody until 25th August pending reports.

Meanwhile, a teenager who was released on bail last week was remanded in custody after finding himself back in court for breaching the terms of his release.

Steven Grogan, 19, of Market Street, Lerwick, was told last Wednesday to stay off drink while background reports following an assault are prepared before his next court appearance on 25th August.

However on Sunday he was found intoxicated at the Market Cross, breaching his bail conditions.

Appearing in the dock on Monday he also admitted damaging a large plant pot in Commercial Street on the same day, and making threats to two police officers, warning a female officer that he would rape her.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said Grogan had committed “as blatant a breach as one could wish to find”.

He added Grogan did not appear to have any friends and drunk alone. He said he was not capable of abiding by the terms of a court order.

“Having appeared here on Wednesday and having been told specifically by this court what he must do he has made a positive choice to ignore that and flout the order of the court,” Mr MacKenzie said.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Grogan would have “taken issue” with the view that he had no friends.

The solicitor said a friend had asked him to stay during the night in question.

“He says that’s the reason he decided he would go drinking.”

Mr Allan said Grogan was sorry for what he had done, especially for making the threat to the female officer.

“Understandably she is not that interested in his apology but she said she might be if he stays off the drink.”

He accepted the view of Mr MacKenzie that Grogan was “catapulting his way up the league table of offending”.

He said his client was only 19, and had not been in custody before. He said Grogan had indicated a willingness to abide by a curfew order.

Honorary Sheriff George Sutherland warned Grogan: “I’m really thoroughly disappointed to see you are back in court. Your behaviour in this case is something I can’t ignore.”

Deferring sentence for reports, he remanded Grogan in custody until 25th August.