Court / Community payback order after ‘atrocious’ behaviour 

A MAN has been placed under supervision for one year and given 80 hours of unpaid work to complete for his “atrocious behaviour” towards police last year.

Thomas Drever previously admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on the town’s Kantersted Road, within a police van and at Lerwick Police Station on 27 October.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie previously told court that police approached Drever in the early hours of the morning regarding a warrant.

The court had heard that Drever, of Lerwick’s Sandveien, ignored shouts from police officers and continued walking, before the 27-year-old was arrested.

Mackenzie said Drever shouted and swore at officers, some of which was aggravated by prejudice related to disability.

The court heard he also braced his legs to prevent being placed within a police vehicle and repeatedly butted and kicked the interior of the van, as well as spat.

Drever’s “belligerent” behaviour continued into the police station, where officers had to strap his legs.

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He also previously pleaded guilty to a cocaine possession charge, with the value of the drug between £70 and £100.

Speaking at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday, defence agent Tommy Allan said Drever’s behaviour on the day in question was “atrocious”.

But he pointed to an upturn in behaviour since October last year, with Drever for instance finishing an outstanding unpaid work requirement.

Sheriff David Harvie placed Drever under a community payback order and also gave him an extra three months to pay an outstanding compensation order.