Man jailed for assaulting constable

A man who assaulted a police officer and subjected him and a colleague to a torrent of abuse has been jailed for five months.

Passing sentence, Sheriff Andrew Berry told Paul Cannop, 22, at Wick, that his race-related behaviour had been “vulgar, distasteful and absolutely disgraceful".

The trouble flared after police officers arrived at Thorkel Road, Thurso, on April 29, to speak to a group which included Cannop.

They found him sitting on a settee under the influence of alcohol or “some substance".

Fiscal depute Fraser Matheson said that when he was advised he was to be detained, Cannop stood up and pushed Constable Gary Dunlop and swore.

The accused struggled and continued to shout and swear even after he was brought under control and secured in the police van where he uttered similar abuse on theway to Thurso police station.

Solicitor Michael Burnett said that Cannop was currently serving a prison sentence imposed earlier. The accused had little recollection of the incidents. He had been selfharming and was suffering from depression at the time and had been “in a frustrated and distressed state".

Cannop, of Holborn Avenue, Thurso, appeared from custody – he is currently serving a five-month sentence imposed a fortnight ago for an unrelated offence – and admitted charges of assault and threatening or abusive conduct as well as a record including offences of violence and disorder.

His latest sentence will run from yesterday.