Former police officer spared prison

A former Western Isles policeman avoided prison when he was sentenced for a number of offences yesterday.

Donald Maclennan of Seilebost, Harris, assaulted an off-duty police officer, was caught drink-driving while five times the legal alcohol limit, and repeatedly breached bail.

The 47-year-old has another sentence outstanding over attacking his former partner in July.

Following that incident he was released on bail on the strict understanding he did not go near her home.

But that only lasted a number of hours and

“He admitted a charge of drink-driving at Lacasdail”

he returned to court the following day.

He was previously placed on a structured deferred sentence programme and is due to be sentenced for these offences early next year.

Sheriff David Sutherland had allowed him to return to the island provided he obeyed a nightly curfew and an alcohol ban.

However, he was back in court again last month, where he admitted a charge of drink-driving at Lacasdail, Harris.

He accepted he had an alcohol reading of 110mcg against the permitted maximum of 22mcg.

At the same location, he assaulted two people, including an off-duty police officer, by lashing out with his fists and feet.

He also phoned his ex-partner and sent her social media messages.

Yesterday at Stornoway Sheriff Court, Sheriff David Sutherland placed Maclennan on supervision for the next two years and imposed an alcohol ban, ordered 150 hours of unpaid work and banned him from driving for 18 months.