INVERNESS SHERIFF COURT: Man threw "child like" tantrum after being asked to leave Asda store in Ivanhoe Avenue
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An Inverness man threw a “child-like” tantrum when police tried to escort him from a shopping market before kicking off at officers.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Ryan Grant (27) had a history of sniffing gas and was banned from the Asda store in the city’s Ivanhoe Avenue for shoplifting.
Staff had asked him to leave but he got into an argument with the duty manager, fiscal depute Shamiela Ghafar told the court.
The fiscal said: “It was May 4, 2021, at 10.35pm and the police were in Asda in relation to another matter.
“The accused was seen at the self-service tills refusing to leave.”
A member of the supermarket staff found the officers and asked them to help with the situation.
Ms Ghafar said: “On being escorted to the exit by police, the accused threw himself to the ground in a child-like manner.”
He then called the two police officers a series of offensive names and uttered threats to them.
He also accused them of killing George Floyd, the African-American man shot and killed by police in 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The court heard Grant, of Balloan Road, also told police: “If I see any of you off duty you are going to get it.”
While being taken to Burnett Road police station Grant managed to kick one of the arresting officers on the arm.
Grant had previously admitted threatening and abusive behaviour and assaulting a police officer.
Defending, solicitor Patrick O’Dea said his client had since tried to turn his life around.
He is now working as a cleaner at holiday accommodation.
Mr O’Dea said: “Mr Grant is ashamed of his behaviour.”
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank put Grant on a community payback order.
He will be under supervision for 12 months and will have to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work in the community during the same period.
The sheriff said this was a direct alternative to custody.
