Police officers laid siege to a Dingwall property for more than 90 minutes after a drug addict barricaded himself in the property.
Negotiators had to be brought in before 32-year-old James Dean was arrested in his flat, at 16 Fingal Road, on October 18 last year.
A total of 15 police officers were involved in the drama which began when two of them went to arrest Dean’s female partner.
Fiscal Stella Swan told Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday: “They couldn’t gain access so a joiner was called at about 11.40am. Then noises could be heard inside and there was a loud thump. A chest of drawers had been thrown down the stairs against the door, preventing access.
“Dean then began shouting and swearing at the police, refusing to let them in and making threats towards them. Police were in a siege-like situation with a total of 15 officers involved at one stage. Negotiators had to be called in and it ended at 1.20pm when officers managed to get in and arrest him.”
At Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday, Dean admitted a breach of the peace by shouting and swearing and threatening to throw a kitchen appliance at police as well as throw bleach in their eyes.
He also pleaded guilty to preventing police from arresting his female partner.
Defence agent Aileen Macinnes said: “He was in the throes of addiction to opiates at the time and he reacted in a state of paranoia.”
Sheriff Margaret Neilson ordered Dean to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and to remain under supervision for a year.
