Moray courts: Drunk trio obstructed officers during Elgin alleyway arrest

A woman and two men have been sentenced following a disturbance outside an Elgin bar.

The police arrested Sky Mitchell in the alleyway besides Dicey’s because she was drunkenly shouting and swearing at about 2am on August 4 last year.

Elgin Sheriff Court heard that the 28-year-old began to push back against the officers as she was being taken to the police van parked on the high street.

During the scuffle Mitchell kicked one of the policemen on the body.

The other two defendants, Scott Craik (45) and Stephen Thomson (29), then tried to intervene in the situation and ended up getting arrested as well.

Fiscal depute Rowan Marchbank told the court that Craik had used his height and weight to obstruct officers, while Thomson had also attempted to hinder them.

The three defendants were each represented by different solicitors.

Speaking on behalf of Mitchell, Meghan Lee stated that her client had been intoxicated and had “reacted with panic and emotion”.

Meanwhile, Matthew O’Neill stated that a heavily inebriated Craik had misread what was happening because the alleyway had been crowded.

The lawyer added: “There were a lot of people about and he saw what he thought were some males manhandling a female. He didn’t realise what was going on.”

Speaking on Thomson’s behalf, his solicitor Robert Cruickshank said: “He ought to have known better. He thought he was being helpful when clearly that wasn’t the case at all.”

Mitchell, of Victoria Road, Elgin, was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Craik, whose address was given in court papers as Lochills, near Elgin, was told to carry out 60 hours.

Thomson, of Tailwell, Forres, also received 60 hours.