"Messiah" set fire to himself in Inverness taxi

A MAN with mental health problems proclaimed he was the Messiah and set fire to himself in a taxi.

When the police were contacted, Steven Hendry attacked an officer who approached him in Inverness High Street and punched him repeatedly about the head.

The incident landed Hendry (41) of Diriebught Road, Inverness, in the city’s sheriff court where he admitted on November 3 assaulting PC Matthew Cameron by punching him on the head to his injury. He also admitted in an earlier incident on October 20 at Burnett Road Police Station that having been detained, he resisted, obstructed, molested and hindered police officers, lashed out and struggled with them and defecated in order to cause annoyance.

Depute Fiscal Heather Swan told the court police attended the taxi incident at about 5pm and one of the police officers spoke to Hendry who threw a punch striking him on the face.

"This stunned him causing him to fall back," said the fiscal, and Hendry continued to punch the officer another four or five times.

A colleague deployed CS gas spray and Hendry was arrested. No serious injury resulted from the attack.

Solicitor John McColl said Hendry had set fire to his trousers in the taxi in which he had been travelling and police were contacted.

In an earlier incident on October 20 Hendry, who had been detained in connection with another matter, struggled and lashed with officers at Burnett Road police Station and defecated as officers tried to get him into custody clothing.

Solicitor John McColl said Hendry had mental health problems which can be controlled when he is on medication. He said he was a highly intelligent individual who gained five Highers and a degree in business studies. Psychiatrists said his mental health problems were a result of alcohol and drug abuse.

Mr McColl said: "Prior to being taking into custody he was a passenger in a taxi and it’s to do with what he is said to have done police wanted to interview him."

He said the taxi driver knew Hendry’s mother and was aware of his mental health problems. "In the taxi he proclaimed he was the Messiah and set fire to his trousers."

Mr McColl said Hendry perceived some sort of threat when he was stopped by the police in Inverness High Street and he hit the officer.

"He needs a level of support," the solicitor added. "Someone who proclaims to be the Messiah and is going to set fire to himself – these are not the actions of someone with a rational mind."

He asked for a short prison sentence to mark the disapproval of the court.

Sheriff Margaret Neilson said the circumstances of the case were unusual and jailed him for two months.