News / Assaulted police officers
A REGULAR offender who admitted struggling with police, kicking and scratching and biting one officer on the body, has been remanded in custody.
Nathan Hilditch, of Lerwick’s Ladies Drive, pleaded guilty when he appeared in court on Monday.
Procurator fiscal Keith Adam said Hilditch had phoned Lerwick Police Station via the emergency system in the early hours of Sunday morning sounding upset, intoxicated and said he wanted to kill himself.
Around 45 minutes later, at about 4.30am, police received information that Hilditch was at the Knab. The 21 year old was on the cliff-ward side of the path and was unsteady on his feet upon slippery ground.
He told officers he wasn’t wanting attention and “just wanted to end it”. The police eventually pulled him away from the cliff edge at which point his body became rigid and a violent struggle ensued.
Lashing out at police, he caused one constable to fall and damage leg muscles before biting another officer, although he didn’t break the skin.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client accepted custody was the likely outcome.
He said Hilditch did have an address and employment in a local restaurant. He has been receiving treatment but the reasons why he has been self-harming and behaving the way he does when drunk had still to emerge.
Honorary sheriff Malcolm Bell said they were “quite serious” offences and deferred sentence until 28 September, calling for reports.
The sheriff told Hilditch there was a “serious possibility” of custody and refused to grant bail.
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