A drunk man who tried to film police officers who he thought were being “heavy-handed” went on to assault them after they told him to put his phone away.
Thomas Drever, 25, placed his arms around an officer’s neck and “pretended” to choke him during his arrest on Union Row in Aberdeen, the city’s sheriff court was told.
Fiscal depute Lydia Ross said officers were dealing with another matter when Drever pulled out his phone and made his presence known to them on July 21 2019.
“He was asked to put the phone away and he then lunged towards one officer striking him to the left shoulder,” the fiscal said.
“He was restrained and upon reaching out struck another officer to his neck by placing his hands on his neck and pretending to choke him, placing the officer in a state of fear and alarm.
“He was then restrained by officers and later cautioned and charged.”
‘He witnessed what he deemed to be police being heavy-handed’
Defence agent Liam McAllister said his client accepted what he had done and got involved after feeling the other person was being treated unfairly by officers.
“He had witnessed what he deemed to be police being heavy-handed with an individual,” the solicitor said. “He got his phone out and shouldn’t have acted in that way.
“He was intoxicated. Nearly all of his previous offending is linked to him drinking to excess.
“It has taken him a good few years to realise that alcohol doesn’t agree with him. When he is not drinking he is mild-mannered and incredibly hard-working.”
He added Drever is now “very settled”.
No longer drinking to excess
“Since this, he has turned things around quite spectacularly. He has his own accommodation, works hard and is not drinking to excess. He has stability in his life now,” Mr McAllister added.
Sheriff Mark Thorley told the solicitor: “He has some issues but these are serious charges. He that’s no reason to assault officers in the street.”
He handed Drever, of Marischal Court, Aberdeen, 100 hours of unpaid work.
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