A thug who beat up his partner unleashed a sick tirade at police while being arrested, saying he hoped they shared the same fate as tragic Carnoustie officer Dean Morrison.
PICTURES: Police officers line the streets of Carnoustie in emotional farewell to Dean Morrison
Robert Soutar, 34, was arrested on November 8 for repeatedly punching his then-partner Amanda Tarbett at her flat on St Mungo Terrace, Dundee.
He also threatened to kill her.
A neighbour phoned the police, who subsequently arrested Soutar and took him to their Bell Street headquarters, during which he said he hoped all they all “smash your cars on your way home and die just like the one in Carnoustie Burn”.
Soutar pled guilty to a series of charges at Dundee Sheriff Court on March 3.
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael jailed Soutar, a prisoner at Perth, for 28 months.
Soutar had also arranged for a letter to be sent to a neighbour of his Ms Tarbett who had witnessed him breaching bail conditions by being at St Mungo Terrace after the assault.
In the letter to, Soutar tried to pervert the course of justice by intimidating the neighbour.
Sheriff Carmichael described it as an “only slightly veiled threat”.
In the letter, Soutar describes himself as a “hard man” with links to Liverpool criminals.
He wrote: “I think you’ve made a big mistake.
“I hope you enjoy your time until I get out. I never forget a face. I am lifting weights. I will be out real soon.”
Soutar also admitted hitting and banging the inside of a police van during his arrest.
Soutar’s defence said he was remorseful and knew his actions were wrong.
The court heard Soutar was “anxious” to be released from prison but Sheriff Carmichael was not moved when he handed down the sentence.
He said: “Having been taken to the police station you then made highly threatening comments to officers, which were offensive.
“In my view there is no alternative to custody.”
The body of PC Dean Morrison was found at the Barry Burn in Carnoustie in December 2018.
The death was described as a “tragic accident” by officers.
Ms Tarbett has since died since the incident took place. The circumstances of her passing were not made clear in court.
