An Angus man who threatened to kill his wife in a drunken armed stand-off with police has been spared a jail sentence.
Edward James Hoy (52) appeared for sentencing at Forfar Sheriff Court on Thursday, following a September siege that saw him brandish kitchen knives at his home in the town’s Taranty Road.
A tactical firearms unit from Tayside Police was deployed at around 6am, with extra officers drafted in from Dundee. Hoy threatened to kill some members of the 14-strong team, who were camped outside his house while the dramatic scenes unfolded.
During the incident, his wife of 14 years called the emergency services and was advised to use a sofa to barricade herself and other occupants of the house in one room, while her drunk and abusive husband charged around with the knives.
Hoy had been drinking heavily the previous night and went to bed at 1am. Due to her husband’s state, Mrs Hoy decided to sleep downstairs, but was awoken at around 6am, when he began shouting and blaming her for him being drunk.
Police put a cordon up after arriving in the street, with 10 marked vehicles and two ambulances also called to the scene. The incident ended when Hoy gave himself up and was led from the house.
Defence solicitor Bob Bruce said his client was fully aware that this was a serious matter.
He said: ”A lot of people had to go to a lot of difficulty, particularly the emergency services. Speaking to him about the incident, he has been telling me that he was finding the pressures of family life, together with working shifts, was like a pressure cooker situation.
”This was the day that the lid came off the pressure cooker.”
Mr Bruce added: ”He has been a working man for 22 years and supports his wife and family. If he loses his liberty it would be catastrophic for the family unit and would impact them in an enormous way.”
The court heard Hoy has five children and often works seven days a week.
A letter of support from his employer was handed over to Sheriff Kevin Veal for consideration.
During a previous appearance, Hoy had admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, making abusive remarks, threatening to stab his wife, repeatedly striking and damaging doors with knives and upturning furniture, during the siege, on September 19. He further admitted assaulting and threatening to stab and kill police officers.
During a subsequent court visit his bail terms were changed to allow him to have contact with his wife, who remains supportive of him.
Sheriff Veal said he did not want to see six people immediately placed on benefits, which would be the result of Hoy being sent to jail. However, he warned there would be no option but to consider imprisonment if there were to be any repeat of the behaviour.
He said: ”It is quite clear that Mr Hoy doesn’t have a record of any significance and he has received a glowing report from his employer, where he has been held on the payroll for 22 years. It seems that presently there are major problems over alcohol and I am not sure that locking him up would achieve anything.
”I expect the publicity around this, and the realisation of the fact that there were a number of police officers and other persons involved, will have made him realise just what happened.”
Hoy was fined £2,000, sentenced to a two-year community payback order of 240 hours and ordered to attend programmes to deal with alcohol abuse and violence issues.
Photo photosonlocation