Lerwick, Scotland – A court in Lerwick heard how an officer resorted to pepper spray on a man who attempted to gouge his eye during a violent altercation. Paul Bonnar, 44, and his son Calum, 23, acknowledged charges of assault and resisting arrest when they appeared before Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
The court was informed that the aggression displayed by the duo was severe enough to require additional officers to be called in to assist in controlling the situation. The incident took place late at night on February 14th of the previous year, when the father and son, originally from Kirn, Dunoon, were in Shetland for work.
Prosecutor Duncan MacKenzie revealed that the pair had been asked to vacate the accommodation provided by their employer. Despite not receiving confirmation, Paul Bonnar contacted a former partner who suggested they could stay at her grandfather’s residence in Gott, Tingwall. Acting hastily, the two men proceeded to the address without confirmation.
Upon hearing banging noises coming from the garage, the homeowner, unaware of the arrangement made by his granddaughter, contacted the police. When officers arrived at the scene, the duo immediately demonstrated aggression. Following a scuffle, one of the officers attempted to handcuff Paul Bonnar, which led to a more violent outburst.
In the midst of the altercation, Calum Bonnar intervened by kneeing an officer in the groin. One officer managed to restrain Calum while another female officer arrived to assist. During the struggle with Paul Bonnar, he managed to grab the officer’s glasses, breaking them, and attempted to gouge the officer’s eye, resulting in facial scratches, while also spitting in the officer’s face.
Due to the escalating violence, the officer resorted to pepper-spraying Paul Bonnar, successfully subduing him. The officer involved sustained scratches but did not require additional medical treatment. MacKenzie emphasized the vulnerability of officers in Shetland when faced with such violence, stressing the need for adequate support in such situations. Sheriff Ian Cruickshank postponed sentencing for the pair until July for the preparation of criminal justice social work reports.