Man admits court escape bid

A prisoner tried to escape while appearing in court and had to be tackled by four court employees.

Ross McFarlane was handcuffed to a female G4S officer when he tried to flee Perth Sheriff Court.

Two of the woman’s colleagues plus a police officer stationed at the court then struggled with the 19-year-old.

Yesterday at the same court, McFarlane admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner on Wednesday by attempting to escape the dock while handcuffed to the woman.

He also admitted struggling with her, as well as another man and woman employed by G4S and a male police officer.

A plea of not guilty to assaulting the female G4S officer was accepted by the Crown.

At the time of the incident McFarlane was appearing accused of supplying alcohol to underage children.

It is alleged that on July 10 last year he culpably and recklessly supplied three boys, who were aged between 12 and 14, with alcohol, exposing them to risk of harm.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place at South Street, Canal Street and the archway from Canal Street to the car park at Matalan.

McFarlane, of no fixed abode, denies the charge and will appear again at Perth Sheriff Court in relation to the matter on January 25, when he will also be sentenced in relation to his dock escape bid.