Elgin defendant avoids jail for assaulting police officers
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A sheriff stopped short of jailing a 23-year-old Elgin defendant because he's "growing up" and has sought help for alcohol and substance abuse.
Instead Connor Hay must wear an electronic tag for the next six months and remain inside his home between 9pm and 5am.
Hay appeared for sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to assault and threatening behaviour.
The police were called to a disturbance at his house in Chapel Court during the evening of July 19 last year.
Hay told them they were not welcome and tried to close the door.
Fiscal depute Emily Hood said: "He tried to push an officer away and was taken hold off."
Hay was arrested and taken to Elgin Police Station where he continued to act aggressively towards the officers and spat on the floor.
When placed in a cell he obscured the camera to prevent it monitoring him.
Ms Hood said: "When officers went in, he took up a fighting stance and struck out at one, causing an injury and then punched another on the head."
Defence solicitor Brent Lockie said: "At that point he was drinking but he is not now. He doesn't remember the incident in any great detail. But he was shown videos of his behaviour and was shocked.
"He is co-operating very well on his two current community payback orders and is engaging with social workers.
"He is in a very precarious position but there's clear evidence that he is turning a corner.
"He's been accepted to rejoin an electrical engineering course. He's in a stable relationship and is taking positive steps to address his underlying issues."
Placing Hay under a year's social work supervision, Sheriff Gary Aitken said: "You are getting very close to the point that a custodial sentence is inevitable and it would be in years, not months.
"But you appear to be growing up."
