Woman called police when she couldn’t sleep

A drunken Angus woman dialled 999 at four o’clock in the morning to tell police she could not sleep.

Grace Aitchison’s bizarre behaviour caused officers to turn out to her home because of concerns for her welfare but she delivered a barrage of abuse at them.

She then made further emergency calls after police and paramedics had checked her over, leading to her arrest for a threat that she was “gunning for them”.

Forfar Sheriff Court heard the 62-year-old of Kirriemuir was so intoxicated she could not remember anything about the incident last September.

Aitchison, of Lindsay Street, was fined £500 by Sheriff Gregor Murray at Forfar after he said unpaid community work was not an option for her, and an electronic tag would have little impact on her life at present.

Depute fiscal Clare Kennedy told the court Aitchison made her first call to police at 4.10am and told a call handler she could not sleep. She hung up, but 15 minutes made a silent 999 call, followed by another just after 4.30am.

She told the call handler she was going to take her own life, before arguing with them and hanging up.

Aitchison called again at 4.45am, saying she needed an ambulance. Police attended and she confirmed she had not tried to harm herself.

“It was noted she was extremely intoxicated and was very volatile towards them, shouting and swearing”, said the fiscal.

The accused told officers: “I’m gunning for you, watch your backs”, before ordering them out of her house.

Police and paramedics left but after further 999 calls were made at 5.30am and 5.55am she was arrested at 6.30am.

Her solicitor said divorcee Aitchison lived alone and had been drinking heavily, leading to an incident which was described as “out of character”.

“Between then and now there have been no further difficulties and she tells me that she has stopped drinking.”

Aitchison admitted repeatedly telephoning 999 on September 10 at her home address when she was not in need of emergency services, and breaching the peace on the same date.

Sheriff Murray told Aitchison: “You pled guilty to two very serious charges.

“I fully accept you have difficulties in your life but that should not be allowed to affect others, particularly those who have a duty to deal with others who are in real difficulty.”