Booze-fuelled attack on PCs

Only on streets three days

“They are addressed by you engaging with the criminal justice services.

“And if you don’t do that, it makes a mockery of the system to continue going down that route.”

Halliday admitted unleashing a foul-mouthed stream of abuse at police in Perth’s Rannoch Road on January 7.

He was remanded in custody on January 8 for nine days before being released.

But he was again taken into custody on January 20 after a stramash with officers in Perth’s Skinnergate and High Street.

He admitted booting PC Ronald Ashton on the body and kicking PC Mark Ross on the knee.

He also shouted and swore at them after turning up drunk at Skinnergate House shortly after midnight and trying to gain entry.

He claimed he had moved back in and had “stuff” inside.

When he ignored requests to move off, the police were called. The teenager was warned about his conduct, depute fiscal Matthew Kerr told the court, but he refused to go home. He was ultimately arrested but not before he had lashed out with his feet at the two officers.

Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said: “It’s clear he has issues with alcohol which is the root cause of his offending.

“He realises he needs help with his problem.”

Imposing detention, Sheriff Foulis conceded that the accused had issues, including low self-esteem and low mood.

But he added: “The difficulty is, against that background, he then frankly says to the author of the background report that he doesn’t like being sober and takes alcohol and other things to address them.

“Criminal justice services have been bending over backwards to stop you on this self-destruct mode.”

Halliday was told that he was being deprived of his liberty “until the penny drops.”

The detention period was backdated until January 21 when he was remanded.