Court / Unpaid work for man who shouted and swore at drugs dog handler
A MAN from Lerwick who shouted and swore at a drugs dog handler as they walked along the street whilst on duty has been ordered to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work.
Kyle Swannie, of Leslie Road, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday to admit behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on 17 March at the Esplanade.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the incident happened at around 10.30am.
He said Swannie, 27, spotted the special constable walking past as they were headed to the Post Office and recognised them as a Dogs Against Drugs handler.
The court heard that he then started shouting, swearing and gesticulating at the dog handler.
“That continued for several minutes,” Mackenzie said.
The dog handler then reported the incident to their police colleagues, with Swannie later arrested.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said Swannie has had “outbursts in public” before, and added that no threats were involved in the Esplanade incident.
However, he said it would have been “unpleasant” for the constable.
Allan said things have started to improve for Swannie since April and said that his client accepting responsibility for the offence “might suggest some maturity developing”.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said the 80 hours of unpaid work was given an alternative to a fine.
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