Court / Prison term for police assault
A MAN from Dunoon has been given an eight-month prison sentence for assaulting a police officer by trying to gouge his eyes and spitting at him.
Paul Bonnar, 44, of Kirn, previously admitted assaulting the officer at an address in Gott on 14 February last year, as well as struggling violently with two constables.
His son, 24-year-old Calum Bonnar, also of Kirn, was given a community payback order for his role in the incident.
At Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday Sheriff Ian Cruickshank issued a warning that police resources in Shetland are “very, very stretched” and incidents where multiple officers have to attend can affect staffing levels.
Paul Bonnar previously admitted assaulting a police constable and attempting to gouge his eyes, to his injury, as well as spitting on his face and body.
He had also pleaded guilty to struggling violently with two constables.
Calum Bonnar had pleaded to guilty to assaulting a constable at the same address by striking him on the body, as well as struggling violently with two officers.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said Paul Bonnar has experienced difficulties in his life which has influenced his use of substances.
He said at one point he was accepted onto a journalism course at university, but this fell by the wayside as a result.
He added that Bonnar has been remorseful over his behaviour.
Allan said Calum Bonnar, as someone who had never been in court before, was in a “different situation”.
He added that the 24-year-old had shown empathy and understood the impact of his actions on the victims.
Allan added that both Bonnars did not set out to get involved in this type of behaviour on the day in question.
The solicitor said Calum Bonnar was drawn into things due to “concern for his father”.
Giving him an eight month prison sentence due to the circumstances and his previous convictions, Sheriff Cruickshank said Paul Bonnar’s offence was a “serious assault” on a police officer.
Meanwhile Calum Bonnar was given 12 months of supervision and 200 hours of unpaid work to compete as an alternative to custody.
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