Community service for Brechin man who threatened to shoot police with machine gun

A Brechin man who threatened to shoot police officers with a machine gun was sentenced to complete 80 hours of unpaid work at Forfar Sheriff Court.

Trevor Harrison, 31, of Montrose Street, previously admitted that on March 3 in a police car travelling south of Brechin on the A933, he said if he had a machine gun he would shoot them.

Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said: “The accused was placed in a police van in connection with another matter.

“The van was travelling from Brechin to Arbroath when the accused was seen placing his hands in his pockets.

“Officers believed he may be concealing something and he was informed they would be searching him when the vehicle stopped.

“He asked the officers why he would be searched and was told that they were concerned he may be concealing something.

“At that point he made the comment that if he had a machine gun he would shoot them. He also told the officers he would ‘punch their heads in’.

“He was under the influence at the time.”

A defence agent said: “He has a history of alcohol abuse. He hadn’t taken medicine that prevents him drinking alcohol and had bought a bottle of vodka.”