A construction worker attacked police officers after a long-simmering feud with his next-door-neighbours boiled over into violence.
Grant Hunter was ordered by a court to stay away from Peter and Barbara Doogan after he churned up part of their garden with an industrial digger during a row over shared land.
The 38-year-old returned to Perth Sheriff Court after he admitted smashing up a £140 plant pot outside the couple’s home in Abernethy.
Hunter later fought with police officers at the edge of the busy A913, near Newburgh.
He said he was at his “wits’ end” after being reported to police more than 40 times for alleged breaches of bail conditions.
Hunter was ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work, and must pay £140 in compensation to the Doogans.
Mrs Doogan, who earlier told how they felt “terrorised” by Hunter, described the sentence as a “joke”.
She said: “He’s just got away with it.
“I wasn’t expecting him to get jail but this is just a joke.
“He was already doing unpaid work.
“After all we’ve had to put up with from him, it doesn’t seem right that’s he’s just been sent away with a slap on the wrist.”
Corrosive issue
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told Hunter: “Neighbourly disputes can be particularly corrosive for all concerned.
“But I always find it difficult to understand why a person who is in the wrong, when the boys in blue turn up, decides to up the ante and do something that is far more serious than the initial incident that the police were called to in the first place.”
In their victim impact statement, the Doogans told prosecutors: “We can no longer stay next door to a nutter.
“We feel the law is with the criminal.
“He seems to avoid the consequences of his actions.”
Smashed plant pot
The warring households are fewer than 16-feet apart in rural Abernethy, at a scenic spot where the River Tay meets the Earn.
Fiscal depute Andrew Harding said that issue of shared land had “caused tensions”.
He said: “At about 5.40pm on July 23, 2020, Mr Doogan watched the accused lifting up a piece of wood and then dropping it onto a porcelain plant pot, breaking it.
“The police were contacted but when officers arrived, it appeared that the accused had left the area.”
Mr Harding said Hunter was traced at a layby on the A913 later that night.
“The accused reacted in an aggressive manner.
“He was facing towards police with his fists clenched and his chin lowered.
“The officers had their backs to the road, which has a 60mph limit.
“The accused was told to get back, while the officers moved back until they were just a few feet from the carriageway.”
Hunter shouted, telling them he would not return to prison.
Called for back-up
Mr Harding said: “Officers requested additional units and upon hearing that, the accused dropped to his knees and raised his fists in the air.
“He said he was ready for a fight.”
PC Steven Cochrane took out his PAVA spray and ordered Hunter to desist.
“He refused to do so and placed his hands inside his pockets,” said Mr Harding.
“He was asked to remove his hands and drop to his knees.
“The accused then began jumping on the spot with his fists raised and lunged at Constable Cochrane.”
Hunter was sprayed and tackled to the ground.
“While on the ground he continued to lash out violently and made attempts to break free,” said Mr Harding.
“The accused attempted to punch the officers but none of his punches connected.
“He then got one arm free and grabbed PC Cochrane’s right leg.
“He sank his fingers into the leg and applied pressure, causing pain.”
Mr Harding said handcuffs were applied “using force” while Hunter continued to struggle.
Alcohol and frustration
Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said: “This stems from an ongoing property matter.
“There’s an issue about the boundary between the two homes that remains uncertain.”
She said Hunter has “taken a step back” from the issue, now being considered by solicitors.
“On this day, he had consumed alcohol,” Ms Cullerton said.
“The neighbours had accused him of breaking bail conditions, which he had not.
“It was more out of frustration and alcohol that led to him behaving in this manner.
“He realises that he should not behave in this way but he was at his wits’ end.”
Digger drama
Hunter admitted smashed the plant pot, two counts of police assault, a charge of resisting, obstructing or hindering officers and acting in a threatening or abusive manner.
In June, he was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work for digging random holes in the disputed patch using a small digger, despite a court order not to enter the ground.
