Man admits facemask assaults on police outside Thurso nightclub

A Thurso man assaulted two police officers outside the town’s Skinandi’s nightclub, Wick Sheriff Court heard this week.

Scott Allan (20) pleaded guilty to an amended indictment.

Sheriff Neil Wilson was told that the incidents occurred in the early hours of December 5, 2021.

Police officers, Scott Guinan and Connor Milne, were monitoring the situation as patrons were leaving the nightclub after it closed. It was during the Covid-19 pandemic and both officers were wearing protective masks.

Fiscal depute David Ballek told the court that Allan said he had Covid and attempted to pull the constable’s mask, which had slipped slightly, ordering the officer – “Get your mask up.”

Allan, of East Church Street, Thurso, also attempted to pull Constable Milne’s face mask.

Mr Ballek said that the officers were dealing with another situation and didn’t have the capacity to arrest Allan, who was told to leave the area.

The accused was subsequently charged and made no reply.

The case was continued to April 15 when Sheriff Wilson will consider a background report and hear mitigation from Solicitor Duncan Bird, before passing sentence.