Denny man jailed after threatening to 'chew police dog's throat out'

Liam Reilly, 23, appeared from custody at Falkirk Sheriff Court via video link today having admitted making threats of violence against an animal and brandishing broken glass at officers at a house in Little Denny Road, Denny.

Reilly, 39 Castle Crescent, shouted, swore, smashed up household items and struggled with, kicked out and attempted to bite police during the incident on July 7, 2020 following a row with his then partner.

When he appeared in the dock on Monday, Reilly was remanded after pleading guilty to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner which was likely to cause a reasonable person fear and alarm.

He also admitted breaching a bail condition by entering a property in Little Denny Road on January 11 this year.

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The court heard Reilly lost his cool on July 7 while inside his partner’s home.

Procurator fiscal depute Heather Galbraith said: “The accused began making accusations towards her, and threatened to smash up the house.

“He was being abusive towards her, and she contacted police.

“Initially, the accused was compliant but then became aggressive towards police. He picked up a piece of a broken frame and started shouting towards police, ‘You’ll have to take me to the ground, I’m not going anywhere with you’.

“He also said, ‘I’ve got a knife in my back pocket’. Police then advised for the dog to be deployed, to which he stated, ‘Get the dog, I’ll chew its throat out’.

“Police were then able to hold the accused by his arms. He continued to struggle. He resisted and tried to prevent police from handcuffing him.”

The court was told Reilly tried to kick one officer to the chest and bite another on the arm during the melee before he was finally arrested.

Martin Morrow, defence solicitor, said Reilly’s relationship with the woman has ended.

The solicitor also told Sheriff Derek Livingston that his client had attended “four or five” meetings with social workers in relation to The Caledonian System domestic abuse programme, but these were halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Morrow said: “He can’t do the next part of the programme unless it’s face to face.

“He thinks the main problem is the system and the social worker is working from home so a force majeure is at play here.”

The court was told Reilly had “generally complied” with a previous community payback order.

However, Sheriff Livingston said: “Your client’s engagement with various orders isn’t satisfactory.”

He continued: “Your client’s behaviour was reprehensible and it’s not the first time he’s got himself involved with police.

“As far as I’m concerned, the charge that involved police was absolutely appalling behaviour.”

Addressing Reilly, Sheriff Livingston said: “I regard you as being responsible for your actions.”

Reilly was sentenced to 90 days’ imprisonment – reduced from 120 days due to the time of his plea – backdated to February 8, 2021.

He was also made subject to a two-year non-harassment order which bans him from going within 100 metres of his ex’s home address.

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