Five cops needed to subdue teenager

Sixteen-year-old kicked off in bedroom

It took five police officers to subdue - and then arrest - an out-of-control 16-year-old after he kicked-off in the bedroom of a Perth house.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that the teenager, who can’t be named because of his age, was with his girlfriend - and his parents - in Dunsinane Drive at the time.

There was a “disagreement” between him and his parents and the police were called.

Three officers attended shortly after 6pm and he was traced in the bedroom of a house there.

But he became “very hostile towards police,” explained depute fiscal Tina Dickie. “His parents told police they didn’t want the accused to stay there.

“They were concerned he would become aggressive and both were visibly upset by whatever incident had taken place which gave rise to them calling the police.”

PC Craig Rennie informed the accused he would have to leave the locus but he refused and became aggressive.

“Due to his repeated obstructive behaviour he was informed he was being placed under arrest,” added the fiscal.

“Police attempted to restrain the accused and by this point other units had been summoned.”

Five police officers attended but as they attempted to restrain and arrest him he was continually lashing out at them with his arms and legs.

He was handcuffed and taken to Perth Police Office.

Solicitor David Holmes said the accused’s parents had attended at the police station.

They wanted him removed from the locus but hadn’t wanted him arrested in the first place.

“Tensions had built up,” added the lawyer.

“He’s now in other accommodation and not living with his parents but is spending a lot of time at home.”

The accused now accepted his actions were “stupid.”

The teenager, now living elsewhere in Perthshire, admitted resisting the five officers - PCs Rennie, Emma Macritchie, Alister Mearns, Neil Aitkenhead and Lindsey Walker - in the Letham street on March 6 this year and refusing to desist.

Not guilty pleas were accepted to further charges of repeatedly making violent threats to police, assaulting PC Rennie by repeatedly kicking him on the body, to his injury, and wilfully or recklessly punching a hole in a door.

Sheriff Pino Di Emidio deferred sentence on the accused, a first offender, until October 23 and ordered him to stay out of further trouble until then.

Pointing out that it was necessary to seek additional assistance, he added: “Police officers in the execution of their duty are entitled not to be treated in this way.”

The sheriff said he was considering imposing a fine if the youth had kept out of further trouble.