Man jailed as judge warns courts will protect police

A MAN who attacked two policemen with knives was jailed for five years and four months yesterday, as a judge warned the courts would do all they could to protect officers.

Lyall Cameron, 24, carried out the assaults within a year of another incident when he threatened a constable with a knife.

Lord Uist told Cameron, of Montrose Street, Brechin, Angus, that his conduct was "wholly intolerable and must result in heavy punishment".

He added: "Police officers charged with the duty of enforcing the law carry out a dangerous job on behalf of the public. The court must do all it can to protect them by imposing lengthy prison sentences on those who use serious violence towards them."

Cameron admitted a breach of the peaceand assaulting PC Kenneth Linton, to the danger of his life, and PC Mark Reid.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Cameron and his wife had been out for the night on 11 July last year and argued on their return home. The police were called by Cameron's mother-in-law, who had been babysitting, and were told that he suffered from a mental illness, bipolar disorder, and had "freaked out".

PCs Linton and Reid attended, and found Cameron in the stairwell. He was calm, although he refused to give his name. He stared at PC Linton and stated: "I'm going to have you." He put his face close to the side of the constable's head, and said: "I dare you to say that again. Go on, I dare you. See what happens if you do." He pushed the officer and then lashed out violently, stabbing him.Cameron had been jailed previously for 90 days for brandishing a knife at a policeman who had been called to a disturbance at his home.

Lord Uist ordered that Cameron be supervised for three years at the end of the sentence.