A man who was involved in a siege at his family home in Pitlochry has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work at Perth Sheriff Court.
James Walker, 49, of East Moulin Road, Pitlochry, had held police off for several hours while locked in his home with children.
Armed officers arrived at the scene and surrounding streets were cordoned off as police negotiators tried to persuade him to end the siege.
Officers in full riot gear had descended on the residential area during the incident.
A former soldier, Walker is currently seeking employment and may end up working abroad.
The jury had found him guilty after trial of behaving in a threatening manner by refusing to hand over the children to their mother, shouting, swearing and making verbal threats to the police.
The offences took place on April 11, 2013, at his home.
Walker’s solicitor, David Sinclair, yesterday said his client could now see a way of resolving his problems after a period of two-and-a-half years.
“This incident has specific resonance with the family set up,” he said.
“He has been receiving help from SSAFA and has made job applications.
“His job options may take him beyond these shores.”
Sentencing Walker on Friday, Sheriff Michael Fletcher told him: “It’s a long time since this happened. I feel the best way to deal with this is by a community payback order for six months.”