A man has been jailed after running towards a gun-wielding cop while brandishing a screwdriver – and then being brought to the ground by a police dog.
John Easson was involved in the tense standoff with armed cops for nearly two hours before the police dog’s action finally brought the incident to an end.
The 31-year-old had earlier armed himself with a knife and refused to come out of his mum’s flat on Aberdeen’s Ferrier Crescent.
During the July 11 incident – which came just four days after he’d been released from a spell in prison – Easson used the knife to self-harm, threw a vodka bottle at a police officer and tossed a hair spray flamethrower out of a window.
Easson, a prisoner of HMP Grampian, previously pled guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, possession of a knife, and assault.
Sentence had been deferred for reports, and Easson has now appeared back at Aberdeen Sheriff Court via video link to learn his fate.
Defence agent David Sutherland said his client apologised for his behaviour, adding that it was “sad to see anybody behave in such a way as he did that day”.
The solicitor explained Easson had longstanding issues with alcohol and drugs.
Referring to a court-ordered report, Mr Sutherland said: “The recommendation is that he works on addressing both of those issues to avoid further offending of this nature and further time in custody as a consequence.”
Sheriff Graham Buchanan said: “This is obviously a serious incident.
“I’m really left with no alternative but to deal with you by way of a disposal which will result in custody. That’s because you have a significant record of previous convictions for quite serious matters.”
The sheriff jailed Easson for 268 days in relation to an unexpired portion of a previous sentence.
Taking into account the fact Easson had already served the equivalent of an 11-month sentence while on remand, Sheriff Buchanan jailed him for an additional three months over the new incident.
Accused ‘demanded the presence of armed police’
Mr Young said the accused had lacerations to his chest and proceeded to smash a mirror while shouting and swearing.
Easson’s partner, stepson, and stepson’s friend were also within the property.
Easson then grabbed a “large kitchen knife” and began to cut himself, and his mother contacted the police.
Three officers attended and entered the flat, but Easson refused to drop the blade – instead, he threatened to “fight and stab” them if they approached.
The officers decided to “tactically withdraw” from the flat and took up positions to the front and rear of the property.
Easson appeared at one of the windows on numerous occasions, at one point warning officers they “would have to baton him”.
His stepson and friend tried without success to persuade Easson to put the knife down.
Appearing at the window again, Easson threatened police, stating he would “take you all on” and “demanding the presence of armed police”.
At one point he threw a vodka bottle at an officer, but it missed and landed on the ground.
He also used a can of hairspray, lighting the contents to create a makeshift flamethrower before throwing it out of the window.
‘He was apprehended by the police dog’
Due to his conduct, a firearms incident was declared and armed police attended while the surrounding area was taped off.
At 9.28am he appeared again and “hit the window with the knife” causing it to fall from his grasp.
It dropped into the garden and was recovered by police.
Mr Young said: “A short time later, the accused climbed out of the front window, landing in the front communal garden.
“He ran towards the rear of the locus pursued by a police dog handler and his dog.”
Easson then turned and ran at the officer while holding a screwdriver.
He was repeatedly ordered to stop and drop the screwdriver but refused.
Mr Young said: “He ran towards the firearms officers with the screwdriver.
“He was apprehended by the police dog, he lay on the ground and the screwdriver was taken from his hand.”
On being arrested, Easson replied: “I’m sorry.”
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