Gun-wielding teenager sentenced

The court heard that McAlpine could not explain his actions

A teenager who pointed a rifle at officers after throwing his mother out of their Midlothian home has been given 200 hours of community service.

A siege situation developed in Penicuik on 23 February, when Stuart McAlpine, 19, threatened to shoot officers with what turned out to be an air rifle.

The stand-off ended when a police dog was sent into the house.

McAlpine earlier pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to assaulting constables by pointing a loaded rifle.

He also pleaded guilty to threatening to shoot PCs Michael Gowans and Graeme Monteith on the same day.

Sentence had been deferred for background reports, including a psychological report.

The incident began at 0200 BST when McAlpine's mother made a 999 call, saying that, after an argument, her son had put her out of the house without the proper clothing for the cold weather.

Once he regained his wits the matter was brought to an end very quickly David Blair-Wilson Stuart McAlpine's solicitor

Police knocked on the door of the house and shouted through the letter box, but received no reply.

About 0215 BST, officers opposite the house saw McAlpine standing at a downstairs window with the curtains open. He disappeared and then returned with the rifle.

The armed response unit was brought in after he pointed it out the window directly at the officers and began shouting and swearing.

McAlpine appeared at an upstairs window, pointed the rifle at officers and told them they would get shot.

The court heard how he had followed all their movements with the gun.

When police asked him to throw out the rifle, McAlpine told them to shut up.

A police dog was sent into the house and McAlpine was found hiding under the loft insulation with the rifle beside him.

'Quite fearful'

The court was told he could give no explanation as to why the incident had occurred.

On his first appearance in court, his solicitor David Blair-Wilson said McAlpine had been taking a university engineering course and was working, but he had mental health issues.

The court heard how he had dropped out of university and walked out of his work after a member of staff shouted at him.

The lawyer said he felt "under stress and was quite fearful".

"Once he regained his wits the matter was brought to an end very quickly," Mr Blair-Wilson said.

Sheriff Gordon Liddle told McAlpine the reports explained the circumstances behind his behaviour.

"Happily they indicate this is all behind you " he said.

"You are a young man with a promising career, a career which would be seriously damaged were I to impose a custodial sentence."