Violent struggle with police

A Perthshire man who attempted to strike police with a handcuff after failing to co-operate with a breath test the day after New Year was banned for 15 months at Perth Sheriff Court this week.

Andrew Donaldson (35), now of Belvedere, Crown Wynd, Auchterarder, will also have to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work within the next six months.

In addition, he will be ‘tagged’ and will have to stay in his home from 7pm-7am for the next 10 weeks.

The accused, formerly of Station Road, Methven, was found guilty after trial of four charges, including resisting arrest and refusing to provide two preliminary breath samples.

He was also convicted of acting aggressively, shouting and swearing, making threats and singing in Methven’s Station Road on January 2.

The court was told that he struggled violently with two constables and tried to strike them with the cuff.

He initially refused to take a roadside breath test and then wouldn’t give two breath specimens for analysis after being taken to police headquarters.

Sheriff William Wood said he had “preferred” the evidence given by the police at the accused’s trial.

“Clearly this was an incident where drink had been taken, given the time of year.”

He also told Donaldson that it hadn’t been “a good idea” to fall out with the officers when they arrived on the scene.