Dingwall man jailed after run-in with cops and ex-partner
Police officers who were called to a disturbance in Dingwall were threatened by a dog owner who claimed the animal had "the strongest bite known".
Dylan Rowlands of Balnabeen Drive in the town was seen by police in the garden of a property in Brown Square in Dingwall in the early morning of July 12, 2024 with his face covered in blood.
Fiscal depute David Morton told Inverness Sheriff Court that the 25-year-old had a giant Cane Corso dog with him and the officers told him to keep it under control.
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"He said he was looking for the dog's leash, found the leash and then took exception to their presence. He was asked to go home but he took the dog off the leash and allowed it to roam freely. He shouted and swore at the police and was arrested.
"He was thrashing his legs around, threatening the officers' families and claimed to have HIV. Leg restraints and a spit hood had to be applied.
"The following morning he apologised and said he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time. He said 'It is not the way I act' and 'I am ashamed’," Mr Morton added.
But Sheriff Gary Aitken then heard that Rowlands went round to his ex-partner's house and she was outside smoking.
"He ran towards her, grabbed her and punched her repeatedly on the head, seized her hair and indicated he would stab her.
"He stopped punching her and she fled inside saying she would get the police. She locked the door and he was kicking it to get inside. Then he left and he was later apprehended."
Defending, Natalie Paterson told Sheriff Gary Aitken: "He has spent the last six months and one day in custody and has had a lot of time to reflect.
"He is now alcohol free and is engaging well with a support agency and intends to continue on his release."
Sheriff Aitken jailed Rowlands for 12 months, backdated to July 15, 2024 and imposed an 18-month long non-harassment order to protect his former partner.