A recent case at Perth Sheriff Court has brought into sharp focus the severe consequences of untreated mental health issues, following the sentencing of a local man, Steven Welsh, after a tense confrontation with police that saw him “red-dotted” by Tasers.
The incident on June 26 in Tweedsmuir Road, a residential area within Perth, unfolded after alarming threats were made against a woman and child, both known to Mr. Welsh. The 51-year-old’s actions were described in court as a direct result of a period of intense insomnia and hallucinations, exacerbated by a lingering illness contracted during a recent trip abroad. A Descent into Crisis
The court heard how Mr. Welsh’s ordeal began shortly after his return from a holiday in Spain, where he reportedly picked up a debilitating bug. This, coupled with pre-existing conditions of PTSD and severe sleeplessness, led him to seek help from his local GP. However, a crucial misstep occurred when he misplaced prescribed sleeping medication, plunging him into an even deeper state of insomnia. His mental state deteriorated rapidly, manifesting in terrifying hallucinations and black-outs, leaving him increasingly isolated and fearful within his own home.
It was during a subsequent visit to the Taymount Surgery that the gravity of Mr. Welsh’s condition became apparent. He confided in his doctor about feeling “very low” and, disturbingly, uttered threats to kill a woman and a child. When pressed for clarification, his chilling response, “I said what I said,” left the medical staff with no option but to report the threats to the authorities for public safety. Escalation in a Perth Neighbourhood
Upon learning that his threats would be reported to the police and his prescription cancelled, Mr. Welsh reacted with profound agitation, expressing fears of imprisonment. His subsequent visit to a local pharmacy for his medication was met with refusal, leading to an outburst against what he perceived as “incompetent” “foreign doctors” – a testament to his distorted perception at the time.
Later that afternoon, local police officers from Perth’s community safety team arrived at his Tweedsmuir Road property. They initially found the door unlocked and, upon inspection, discovered a log-splitting axe within the hallway. Concerned by the earlier threats and the presence of such a weapon, the officers left to gather additional support and returned with the intention of seizing the axe. This time, the door was locked, initiating a prolonged and fraught standoff.
During the tense negotiations, Mr. Welsh’s behaviour became increasingly erratic. He verbally challenged the officers, shouting, “It’s going to go f***ing wrong.” When an officer attempted to approach, he defiantly yelled, “Don’t open the f***ing door,” while firmly gripping the axe by his side. The situation escalated to the point where a Taser was drawn, prompting Mr. Welsh to momentarily lower the weapon. However, in a display of his profound distress, he moved towards the officer, declaring, “I don’t give a f*** if you’ve got a Taser. Hit me in the face, I don’t give a f***,” before violently slamming the door shut. Resolution and Rehabilitation
Recognising the significant risk, police backup was immediately deployed, and officers eventually gained entry to the property. The confrontation reached its climax in the kitchen, where Mr. Welsh once again seized the axe. Officers swiftly responded by deploying their Tasers, successfully “red-dotting” him, a standard procedure indicating the weapon was aimed and ready to be discharged. At this critical juncture, Mr. Welsh complied, dropping the axe and allowing himself to be apprehended. Even then, in handcuffs, his distorted reality persisted, as he protested that police had “forced your way into my house without my permission,” claiming he would have cooperated if asked.
At Perth Sheriff Court, Mr. Welsh pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear and alarm. Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC acknowledged that while the severity of his actions met the threshold for a custodial sentence, she took into account the period Mr. Welsh had already spent in custody during the legal process. The Sheriff ultimately opted for a rehabilitative approach, imposing a community payback order.
This order mandates Mr. Welsh to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work within the Perth and Kinross community, serving as a direct alternative to imprisonment. Furthermore, he will be subject to a 15-month supervision period, designed to support his ongoing recovery and ensure the safety of the public. This outcome underscores the court’s recognition of the complex interplay between mental health, personal circumstances, and criminal behaviour, aiming for a resolution that fosters long-term change rather than punitive measures alone, reflecting a commitment to addressing the root causes of such incidents within our local community.
The incident on June 26 in Tweedsmuir Road, a residential area within Perth, unfolded after alarming threats were made against a woman and child, both known to Mr. Welsh. The 51-year-old’s actions were described in court as a direct result of a period of intense insomnia and hallucinations, exacerbated by a lingering illness contracted during a recent trip abroad. A Descent into Crisis
The court heard how Mr. Welsh’s ordeal began shortly after his return from a holiday in Spain, where he reportedly picked up a debilitating bug. This, coupled with pre-existing conditions of PTSD and severe sleeplessness, led him to seek help from his local GP. However, a crucial misstep occurred when he misplaced prescribed sleeping medication, plunging him into an even deeper state of insomnia. His mental state deteriorated rapidly, manifesting in terrifying hallucinations and black-outs, leaving him increasingly isolated and fearful within his own home.
It was during a subsequent visit to the Taymount Surgery that the gravity of Mr. Welsh’s condition became apparent. He confided in his doctor about feeling “very low” and, disturbingly, uttered threats to kill a woman and a child. When pressed for clarification, his chilling response, “I said what I said,” left the medical staff with no option but to report the threats to the authorities for public safety. Escalation in a Perth Neighbourhood
Upon learning that his threats would be reported to the police and his prescription cancelled, Mr. Welsh reacted with profound agitation, expressing fears of imprisonment. His subsequent visit to a local pharmacy for his medication was met with refusal, leading to an outburst against what he perceived as “incompetent” “foreign doctors” – a testament to his distorted perception at the time.
Later that afternoon, local police officers from Perth’s community safety team arrived at his Tweedsmuir Road property. They initially found the door unlocked and, upon inspection, discovered a log-splitting axe within the hallway. Concerned by the earlier threats and the presence of such a weapon, the officers left to gather additional support and returned with the intention of seizing the axe. This time, the door was locked, initiating a prolonged and fraught standoff.
During the tense negotiations, Mr. Welsh’s behaviour became increasingly erratic. He verbally challenged the officers, shouting, “It’s going to go f***ing wrong.” When an officer attempted to approach, he defiantly yelled, “Don’t open the f***ing door,” while firmly gripping the axe by his side. The situation escalated to the point where a Taser was drawn, prompting Mr. Welsh to momentarily lower the weapon. However, in a display of his profound distress, he moved towards the officer, declaring, “I don’t give a f*** if you’ve got a Taser. Hit me in the face, I don’t give a f***,” before violently slamming the door shut. Resolution and Rehabilitation
Recognising the significant risk, police backup was immediately deployed, and officers eventually gained entry to the property. The confrontation reached its climax in the kitchen, where Mr. Welsh once again seized the axe. Officers swiftly responded by deploying their Tasers, successfully “red-dotting” him, a standard procedure indicating the weapon was aimed and ready to be discharged. At this critical juncture, Mr. Welsh complied, dropping the axe and allowing himself to be apprehended. Even then, in handcuffs, his distorted reality persisted, as he protested that police had “forced your way into my house without my permission,” claiming he would have cooperated if asked.
At Perth Sheriff Court, Mr. Welsh pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear and alarm. Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC acknowledged that while the severity of his actions met the threshold for a custodial sentence, she took into account the period Mr. Welsh had already spent in custody during the legal process. The Sheriff ultimately opted for a rehabilitative approach, imposing a community payback order.
This order mandates Mr. Welsh to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work within the Perth and Kinross community, serving as a direct alternative to imprisonment. Furthermore, he will be subject to a 15-month supervision period, designed to support his ongoing recovery and ensure the safety of the public. This outcome underscores the court’s recognition of the complex interplay between mental health, personal circumstances, and criminal behaviour, aiming for a resolution that fosters long-term change rather than punitive measures alone, reflecting a commitment to addressing the root causes of such incidents within our local community.