Court / Police constable believed he would be stabbed during arrest
A POLICE constable believed he was about to be stabbed during an “extremely violent and generally terrifying” arrest.
Four officers arrived to arrest David Mark Sherwood at his Mossbank home on 27 September 2023, with Sherwood initially compliant and calm.
However as they led him to the police van, the 57 year old grabbed a “very large kitchen knife” and raised it above his head.
One police constable grabbed his left arm, which was holding the knife, as Sherwood exerted “considerable downward pressure” towards the man.
It took all four police officers to eventually get the knife out of Sherwood’s hands, with one having to punch him in the head due to fear he would stab the constable.
Sherwood pleaded guilty to brandishing a knife at a police officer and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner during the incident.
Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie told Lerwick Sheriff Court today (Monday) that police had attended Sherwood’s home address last year to arrest him as part of an ongoing investigation.
He said Sherwood had initially been conversational and compliant, but grew concerned when he was told he was going to be taken to Lerwick in a police van.
Sherwood told police he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, and did not want to go in a van.
At this point, without warning, he grabbed the kitchen knife and raised it over his head.
As a police constable tried to stop him, Sherwood began to bring the knife closer to him.
“Clearly the other police officers were shouting at him repeatedly to drop the knife,” he said.
He called this an “extremely violent and generally terrifying” incident, with the police believing at this point “that the police constable was about to be stabbed”.
With the officers “extremely restricted in tactical options”, one had to punch Sherwood in the head as they tried to get the knife out of his hands.
Even after they did, none of the officers – not even the constable – knew if he had actually been stabbed during the incident.
“It’s difficult to properly convey just how dangerous a situation this was for the police officers,” Mr MacKenzie said.
“It’s a matter of good fortune that nobody sustained any serious injuries in this incident.”
Defence agent Tommy Allan asked for the preparation of criminal justice social work reports before sentencing.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank deferred sentencing for background reports, with Sherwood released on bail.
He will return for sentencing on 23 October.
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