Thurso man tasered for resisting arrest

Police officers had to use pepper spray and a taser in their efforts to restrain a Thurso man a court was told.

Uncooperative John Litchfield avoided a jail sentence after he admitted charges of assault and obstructing the officers at Wick.

The incident happened after the 43-year-old struck a woman when an argument escalated at a house in St Peter's Road, Thurso, on May 24.

Fiscal Depute Grant McLennan told Wick Sheriff Court police officers who arrived at the house, noticed a graze across the woman’s forehead which she said had been caused by the assault on her by Litchfield.

The accused pushed one of the PCs and resisted efforts to have handcuffs fitted.

Litchfield was eventually brought under control and taken to Wick Police Station where he was cautioned and charged.

Solicitor Laura-Jane McFarlane said that the accused had never behaved in such a manner previously and would never do so again.

She said that, according to a background report, Litchfield had been assessed as being of minimal risk of reoffending.

Sheriff Neil Wilson told Litchfield that he would be entitled to jail him adding: "You should be ashamed of your actions."

He ordered him to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work under supervision, as a direct alternative to prison.