INVERNESS SHERIFF COURT: Ross-shire man jailed for Muir of Ord stand-off in which he threatened to kill police with a firearm
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A Ross-shire man who told police he was armed with a gun and threatened to kill officers during a tense stand-off has been jailed.
William Beattie (38) holed up in his flat in Highfield Circle, Muir of Ord, when he upset neighbours on June 1 this year with the amount of noise he was causing.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard the police were called out to see if he was damaging the property amid the racket that was heard.
Fiscal depute Shamiela Ghafar said: “The police asked him to come to the door.
“The accused then said that he had a gun.
“To this the police moved back down the stairwell and returned to the street.”
The court heard that a cordon was set up around the block of flats and armed police called.
The fiscal depute said: “The party was observed in the kitchen shouting and swearing.
“The accused said that he would kill the police and he would kill everyone else.
“Police attempted to engage him in conversation.
“He continually shouted he would kill everyone.”
After several hours the fiscal depute said the accused appeared to become “tired” and said he would come downstairs and that he “wasn't a bad person”.
Ms Ghafar added: “At this time the police negotiator arrived.
“He did not appear to have any weapons on him.
“After his arrest police observed an air rifle behind the couch with pellets.”
He was then arrested by police to bring the situation to an end.
Defence agent Neil Wilson, representing Beattie, said: “He is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character which I think is down to his abuse of alcohol.
“This is someone who if he can get his alcohol problem under control he could be a hard-working man.
“If his alcohol problem could be controlled then he could make a good contribution to society.”
However Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said he felt prison was the only suitable punishment for the Muir of Ord man.
Beattie was jailed for four months, backdated a month to when he was first remanded.
He will be under supervision for 24 months on his release.
