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Brora man told police he was "ready for war" but then asked to feed his chickens


By SPP Reporter

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Scott Morrison
Scott Morrison

A MAN with a violent past, who was involved in an armed stand-off with police at his Brora home, has been placed under social work supervision and ordered to undertake unpaid work.

Scott Morrison (51), Victoria Drive, appeared for sentencing at Inverness Sheriff Court today.

He had admitted at an earlier court behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by uttering racist comments and brandishing a sword at police.

Last month’s court heard how a drunken Mr Morrison (51), armed himself with a sword and targe after police were called to his home on June 3 last year.

He went out into his garden and shouted at officers: "Go back to England, I’m ready for war."

But after officers presented their CS gas spray, he retreated back indoors and was later e persuaded to exit unarmed.

Sentence was previously deferred for background reports. His sword was confiscated by the court.

It emerged that Morrison had been brought up in Paisley, Renfrewshire, before his family moved to Perth, Australia, when he was 12.

He served eight years in a jail Down Under for attempting to stab a man to death. He also ran up a record of attacks of police officers.

Morrison, a father of seven, was deported back to Scotland in 2007.

Days after his deportation, he sparked a major police alert on Arran by claiming he had a gun and threatening suicide.

He moved north several years ago.

Today’s court head a plea of mitigation from Morrison’s lawyer, Neil Wilson.

Letters were submitted from his employer and NHS Highland.

Mr Wilson said: "It’s conceded that when this was regarded as a serious matter given Mr Morrison’s record of previous convictions pre-2007."

But Mr Wilson said there was less to the incident than meets the eye.

He said: "He was drunk and doing inappropriate things. When the police presented the CS spray he retreated into the house and came outside unarmed."

Mr Wilson said he then asked if he could looked after his chickens before he was arrested and police complied with that request.

The lawyer continued: "I’m not trying to belittle this but it was a brief confrontation. He saw the police officers and over-reacted."

Mr Wilson said his client had notched up five convictions since his return from Australia and was now doing his best to lead a quiet life.

His wife and some members of his family had come from Australia to live with him in Scotland.

Mr Wilson said: "He is working and probably receives less than the minimum wage but it helps keep him busy and keeps him out of trouble.

"On occasion he drinks to excess and things go badly wrong."

Mr Wilson said reports recommended unpaid work which he was virtually doing already.

"Supervision would be a good idea," he added."

Sheriff Margaret Neilson placed him on a community payback order with the requirements that he be under supervision for 18 months and undertake 225 hours of unpaid work.


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