Man (42) faces nine charges after police incidents in Wick

A 42-year-old Caithness man has appeared in private by video link from Wick at Inverness Sheriff Court facing a total of nine charges.

It follows an incident on Sunday when a huge police presence descended on Glamis Road in Wick with armed colleagues also in attendance.

George Harper was arrested in connection with two incidents – the other being in Leishman Avenue – in which a total of three people were allegedly assaulted.

They were all taken to Caithness General Hospital and a police presence was maintained there as well.

Online footage showed a man appearing to exit the property before quickly retreating. Specialist officers wearing tactical gear quickly apprehended the individual and dragged him from the property and onto the ground where he was handcuffed.

A window was also smashed at the property.

Police Scotland shared a social media post about the incident which stated: “Around 10am on Sunday, May 19, we received a report a man had been assaulted and robbed in Leishman Avenue, Wick. Emergency services attended, and the 31-year-old man was taken to Caithness General Hospital.

“As officers were responding to that incident, we received a report of a further two people being injured within a property in Glamis Road. A 32-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman from within the property were taken to the same hospital.

“Officers remained in attendance, including armed officers, and a 42-year-old man was arrested in connection with both incidents. He has also been taken to hospital.”

All of those taken to hospital have since been discharged, police said later.

Harper appeared from custody on Tuesday and made no plea to the charges. They were two of abduction; three of assault to injury, one including to the danger of life; two of theft and two of threatening behaviour.

Harper was committed for further examination and remanded in custody. He will appear again within the next eight days.