Father jailed for snatching son

Hasn't helped his case for future access solicitor tells the sheriff court at Wick

A CAITHNESS father, who snatched his son during an access meeting with social workers, has been jailed for eight-and-a-half months.
Wick Sheriff Court heard previously how he made off with the boy. Police, who traced the accused to his home, had to force their way in and were confronted by him brandishing an axe.
The father, who can’t be named for legal reasons, admitted stealing the seven-year-old, driving while under the influence of drink or drugs and assaulting the police.
The youngster was the subject of a supervision order and the accused was availing himself of a supervised visit, on August 8. The social worker noted that the accused, who normally had a placid demeanour, was in a more confrontational mood and was somewhat detatched.
Senior fiscal depute David Barclay said that as the interview was coming to a close, the father stated that he intended taking his son with him and lifted the boy in his arms, despite warnings that the police would be informed, and drove home.
Mr Barclay said: “The accused responded that the child was his son and left the building with him.”
Outlining the drama at the father’s home, Mr Barclay said as officers were forcing entry, the accused was seen coming towards them with an axe which he brandished with both hands in an attempt to strike the officers but only succeeded in hitting the glass panel at the top of the door. The accused was subdued with CS gas and was arrested . As he was being put into the cage section at the rear of the police car he spat at constable Kyle Dallas.
Solicitor Neil Wilson said that the accused had been under the misapprehension that he had certain rights in relation to his son and had been taking a substance in the preceding three days which had “clouded his judgement”.
Mr Wilson added: “He realises that he has set back the process for getting contact with his son, quite considerably.”
The solicitor added that his client intended leaving Thurso on his release from prison, to live near his sister in England and hoped to travel north for supervised visits to his son.
Sheriff Andrew Berry said that the accused’s actions in seizing his son must have caused everyone concerned “upset and anxiety”, particularly the boy, who would have been “very upset” at what was happening.
The sheriff who saw reports added: “They show that you are really focussed about trying to do what’s best for your son, but if you are going to doing anything about that in the future, it has to be done through your solicitor and not in conflict with those trying to do their best for the child”.
The accused, who appeared from custody, had his prison sentence backdated to August 29 when he was apprended. He was also banned from driving for a year.


Man made death threats to police

A MAN, who made death threats to the police, has been sentenced to six months in prison.
Stephen Stewart breached a bail order by being found with woman at a house in Kennedy Terrace , on July 9.
He was arrested and taken to Wick police station where he threatened to choke a constable to death and slit another officer’s throat.
Stewart pleaded guilty, previously, when the case was continued to allow Sheriff Andrew Berry to learn the details of a jail sentence imposed by the High Court on an unrelated matter. Stewart (42) formerly of Argyle Square, Wick, had been allowed out on licence which was revoked because of his bail breach. The court was told today that he had still had to serve 800 days.
Sheriff Berry ordered that the six-month sentence should run consecutively with the High Court sentence.