A 48 year old man who tried to get police officers to shoot him was instead tasered after he confronted them with a knife and a revolver.
Police discovered the German made Smith and Wesson was a replica capable of firing airgun pellets and was empty when they overcame Andrew Mould with a second taser blast, Inverness Sheriff Court heard.
Mould, who lived in a caravan near Shiel Bridge in Wester Ross was yesterday jailed for a year.
Sheriff Margaret Nelson said: “The police were put in a dreadful situation.”
He admitted being in possession of an imitation firearm at his home to intimidate two police officers on September 1.
The Sheriff restricted the sentence and backdated it to September 2 after hearing from solicitor Marc Dickson who said his client was grief-stricken after the death of his long-term partner and friend.
Last month, the court was told that Mould informed his sister that he was depressed and wanted his guns “taken off me.”
He later told his sister’s partner that he wanted the police to come to his caravan, adding “they can shoot me.”
Fiscal depute Michelle Molley said neighbours were informed about their concerns for his safety and the police were also alerted.
An armed response unit was dispatched to Mould’s home.
Ms Molley said: “Eventually he threw two firearms out the door before he emerged with no clothing on his upper body. A knife was visible on his waistband. He threw it on the ground and walked towards the officers despite being told to stop.
“The officers, who had little space to move back, showed him a taser when he refused to stop and kneel down. He said he had been tasered three times before and said he was not scared of it.
“The taser was deployed and had to be used a second time to subdue him. But they were prepared to use their weapons in the event he could not be subdued.”
Mr Dickson said: “Some days prior to this, a close friend with whom he had a relationship of 16 years passed away.
“He was left bereft and took alcohol after 16 years of being tee-total on top of his prescribed medication for depression.
“It was an unhappy combination and he felt suicidal. The motivation was self harm and none of the weapons found were loaded.
“He is genuinely remorseful and apologises to the police and others involved who were alarmed and upset.”