Officers in Wick subjected to tirade of abuse after late-night knock at door

Police investigating a report of a late-night incident at a Wick house were confronted by a bare-chested man who was anything but co-operative, the town's sheriff court was told on Wednesday.

Drug-fuelled Andrew Harper unleashed a tirade of abuse and threats at the officers and adopted a fighting stance, against a background of loud music.

Then the 28-year-old slammed the door in their faces and punched a pane of glass, smashing it.

Harper, of Leishman Avenue, Wick, admitted a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour and one of assaulting one of the officers, on November 24, last year.

The accused, who has a record, will be sentenced next month.

Fiscal Susan Love said it became obvious to the police that the situation was likely to escalate and they called in a third officer.

He knocked on the door and Harper appeared and threatened to kill him by "smashing the constable's face in with his bare hands".

The accused was forced back into his kitchen and was handcuffed. As he lay on his back on the floor he lashed out with his right leg which caught Constable Anna Jones on the right side of her face.

Miss Love added: "Harper was cautioned amid further outbursts of threats and offensive language."

The accused was taken to Caithness General Hospital for a check-up. He told doctors he had taken 'crack', a form of cocaine.

Sentence was deferred until April 20 when Sheriff Andrew Berry will consider a background report and hear from the defence before passing sentence.