Two ‘thugs’ fined £600

TWO PLANT operators who behaved like “a couple of thugs” and violently struggled with police in Lerwick town centre on Friday night have each been fined £600.

Thirty three year old Steven Mills, of Landsberry Road, Eckington, Sheffield, and David Drever, 44, of Sandveien, Lerwick, both admitted assaulting police constables at the Esplanade.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said police were on mobile patrol and it was clear that the two men had been fighting with each other.

Other members of the public had restrained “a couple of thugs engaging in thuggish behaviour”. When police officers attempted to arrest them, in both cases violent struggles ensued.

Drever admitted assaulting a constable by grabbing him by the clothing, while Mills admitted assaulting another constable by grabbing him on the upper body.

Both pleaded guilty to resisting, obstructing or hindering two constables and struggling violently with them.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Mills’ job had come to an end as a result of the incident.

On Friday he had argued over the phone with his girlfriend about whether or not he should take a job closer to home. Mills then went out and had far too much to drink.

Allan pointed out that his client had been in custody since Friday night, and was aware that he had let some people down.

Drever, meanwhile, had some “analogous” previous convictions – but Allan said these were “of some vintage”.

Honorary sheriff Sandy Cluness said both were guilty of “totally unacceptable” behaviour.

He fined each £600, reduced from £900 to reflect their early guilty pleas.