Man resisted arrest as he claimed police had the wrong person

Fisherman Andrew Mackay (34) maintained he had been attacked by two men and suggested the officers should be looking for them.

Wick Sheriff Court was told on Tuesday that police acting on a report by the two men, on March 5, traced Mackay to a house in the town's Cairndhuna Terrace. Mackay lives in that street but at a different address.

They located him in a bedroom and found him to be bleeding from injuries.

Fiscal David Barclay said that Mackay insisted "he was the victim, not the aggressor" and attempted to prevent the officers from handcuffing him by tensing himself and struggling with them. He also shouted and swore at the police station and attempted to headbutt officers before being put in a cell.

Reuben Mardenaigum said that Mackay had been followed by the two men on his way home and continued: "The accused tried to get away but they succeeded in catching up with him and assaulted him. He was bleeding from the nose and a cut to his hand."

The solicitor accepted that the police had their job to do but added: "They were arresting the wrong people. They were acting on wrong information provided by the two men."

Sheriff Neil Kinnear asked: "Are these men known to the authorities?"

Mr Barclay replied they were, and added: "They have names that I am familiar with."

Sheriff Kinnear had some sympathy for Mackay given the situation he was in, but added that the police had dealt with him rightly, given his reaction.

The sheriff imposed a fine of £200 on the accused who admitted obstructing and hampering the police and was said to have "deeply regretted" his behaviour.