Lochaber man lashed out at police

Shouting, swearing and lashing out at police officers earlier this month has resulted in 110 hours of community service for a Lochaber man.

David O’Hara, of Park Road, Kinlochleven, appeared from custody at Fort William Sheriff Court yesterday.

The 24-year-old previously admitted three charges of obstructing and hindering officers and lashing out with his feet at both them and a police vehicle, behaving in a threatening and abusive manner by shouting and swearing and also possessing cannabis on May 11.

Procurator fiscal Martina Eastwood said: “At 4.05am that morning his mother was woken up by the accused shouting and swearing outside. He refused to leave and when the police arrived he struggled with them and started to run away.

“After a chase he fell over and was handcuffed. The police suspected he had been taking drugs and, after a search, found a white wrap containing a herbal substance. O’Hara said: ‘It’s just cannabis’.

“He continued to struggle with the officers and struck a police vehicle.”

O’Hara’s solicitor, Hamish Melrose, told the court: “He admitted struggling with the police but no injuries were caused. He and his mother are estranged and he has been staying at a friend’s house in Kinlochleven as well as ‘sofa surfing’ at other addresses in Fort William.

“He is actively looking for work and employment and is going in the right direction.”

Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald told O’Hara to complete 110 hours of unpaid work.

She added: “The community payback order will be carried out in co-operation with the social work department.”