Community payback order for Thurso man (28) who pulled police officers’ mask during Covid pandemic

A Thurso man who attempted to pull two police officers' Covid protection masks outside a local nightclub was ordered to carry out 160 hours unpaid community work.

Scott Allan (28) admitted two amended charges of assault, on indictment, at Wick Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

The court heard that the officers were monitoring patrons leaving Skinandis, on December 5, 2021. Both were wearing protective face masks.

Allan approached one officer, stood close to him, and attempted to pull his mask, which had slipped slightly, with the comment: "Get your mask up".

Allan, of East Church Street, Thurso, then tried to pull the other Constable’s mask.

Fiscal Depute David Ballek added that the officers were dealing with another situation and didn't have the capacity to arrest Allan who was told to leave the area.

He was subsequently charged and made no comment.

Solicitor Duncan Bird said that it was a "very much a case of enthusiasm mixed with alcohol" and suggested that the offences were "at the lower end of the assault scale"

Sheriff Neil Wilson, who saw a background report, observed that the charges had been substantially reduced - removing an allegation that the accused had spat on each of the officers - and he was not going to impose a custodial sentence.

The sheriff stressed, however, that the sentence was a direct alternative to prison, reflecting the seriousness of the offences in the context of the Covid pandemic.