A teenager who caused alarm by sitting swigging alcohol from a bottle on the railing of Ness Bridge in Inverness, was given a “very last chance” after admitting resisting arrest in Inverness city centre.
Police were called to Bridge Street on June 26 last year after passing tourists reported seeing Rory Starkey, 18, sitting on the Ness Bridge railings above the River Ness, drinking from a bottle of alcohol.
Two constables managed to get Mr Starkey down off the bridge but the teenager then began to shout and swear at the officers and tried to escape from them.
Yesterday at Inverness Sheriff Court, Starkey admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner as well as struggling violently and resisting arrest.
The court also heard that he committed the offence while on bail for a previous offence, which he also admitted yesterday.
He pleaded guilty resisting and obstructing another two police officers at Island Bank Road on September 6, 2012.
Fiscal depute Michelle Molley said that Starkey’s Ness Bridge offence had attracted a large crowd at 5.30pm.
Ms Molley said: “He was quite clearly intoxicated. He was emotional and was shouting and swearing at the police officers.
“The scene was drawing the attention of tourists, some of whom were concerned for his safety and others just wanting to see what was going on.”
Ms Molley told the court that Starkey attempted to escape but was caught soon after on Bank Street.
Defence agent John MacColl told the court that Starkey, whose address was given as Suilven, Nethybridge Road, Boat of Garten, was now living with his aunt and uncle in Kirriemuir.
He also presented a letter from Starkey to Sheriff Margaret Neilson, asking for a second chance.
Mr McColl said: “There has been a drink and drug problem but that seems to have gone.”
Sheriff Neilson deferred sentence for three months and ordered Starkey complete an earlier community payback order of 180 hours.
She said: “I am prepared to give you one very last chance to show you can comply.
She added: “If you do not take the chance then you will go to prison.”
