A Moray man who reacted angrily when police officers stormed into his bedroom and woke him up appeared in court yesterday.
Ian Mitchell was fast asleep when officers called at his then-property in Findorn Court, Elgin at 11pm on August 29.
The 25-year-old became so infuriated when the officers disturbed his slumber that he threatened them with violence and had to be forcibly restrained and handcuffed.
Yesterday he appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court, where he admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing at the officers and challenging them to a fight – both at the house and while being taken to the police station.
Fiscal depute Ruairidh McAlister said: “Police officers traced the accused within his bed, but when they woke him up he began shouting at them and became abusive.
“Due to his aggression, he was restrained onto the bed and handcuffed.
“When he was helped to his feet Mitchell began threatening police constables, saying ‘you just wait until these cuffs come off’ and asking ‘you think you’re a hardman?'”
Representing Mitchell, solicitor Stephen Carty said his client was “clearly not expecting police officers to arrive in his bedroom”.
He added: “His first reaction was shock, and he reacted badly to that.”
Mr Carty said that prior to dozing off his client had been drinking, which may have affected his behaviour on the night.
Mitchell, who know stays at Flat B, Milton Drive, Buckie, was ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work over the next three months.
Sheriff John Halley said: “I do have some sympathy in relation to how these circumstances began, in that you were in bed and awoken by several police officers in your bedroom.
“But your conduct towards them was concerning, and making threats to police constables is completely unacceptable.”
