Teenager avoids prison despite outburst at police

A Perth teenager threatened to kill police - and their families and children - after being arrested during a drink-fuelled confrontation with officers at a local park.

The 17-year-old college student, who can’t be named for legal reasons, also said he would“violate”the mother of one of the constables.

The accused, who had been handcuffed and placed inside a police car, managed to escape after a large group of youths “surrounded”the vehicle.

He legged it across the South Inch, in the direction of Perth Railway Station, before he was caught and restrained by one of the officers.

Sheriff William Wood branded the accused’s behaviour“appalling”and said he had considered sending him to detention.

But he said he would give him the chance to take part in the Right Track programme, aimed at reforming unruly teenagers.

His progress on the scheme will be reviewed on April 4.

He admitted that on August 12 this year, at the South Inch and at Barrack Street, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing.

He also spat on the windows inside a marked police vehicle and repeatedly struck his head on the interior.

The kill threats were then made to three officers.

The youth also pled guilty to a second charge of resisting two officers after he had been arrested, put in handcuffs and placed in the rear of the vehicle.

But he then exited the vehicle - and legged it - only to be apprehended again.

The teen had a not guilty plea accepted to a third charge of being in possession of the Class A drug cocaine at Perth Concert Hall on May 20.

Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said the accused first came to officers’attention about 9.30pm when he walked towards them and began to shout:“F*** the police.”

He was told to desist but continued to shout and swear before he was handcuffed and put in the back of a police vehicle.

He began spitting on the windows and repeatedly“smacking”his head against the interior.

When a van arrived to transport him to Barrack Street, the accused told officers: “I’m going to kill you, your families and your children.”

Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said alcohol was a“contributory factor”in what were serious offences.

He was a first offender and felt he had been“unlawfully arrested for nothing.”

He previously misused alcohol but only drank on a social basis now.

She added:“He’s no longer involved in illicit substances.”

Ordering the accused to take part in Right Track, Sheriff Wood warned him:“I don’t rule out the prospect of a period in detention.

“A lot will depend on how you engage with the programme.”