Moray man ordered to complete unpaid work for ‘violently’ struggling with police

A 20-year-old who “violently” struggled with police officers and called them “spastics” has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.

Krzysztof Langiewicz, who previously pleaded guilty, appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court last Thursday for sentencing.

The court heard that police officers visited Langiewicz, of Findhorn Court, Elgin, after concerns were raised about his mental health.

Fiscal depute David Morton said the man was considered a “high risk missing person”.

He told the court that police officers traced Langiewicz on September 22, 2024, who was in a “very heightened emotional state and appeared intoxicated”.

Officers told the 20-year-old that he would be taken to Dr Gray’s Hospital due to the concerns for his mental health.

Mr Morton said the man: “Took exception to that and began acting very aggressively towards the police officers.

“He was tensing his arms, attempting to push the officers away and uttering various threats of violence towards the officer.”

Langiewicz was then charged and restrained, but “continued acting in a similar manner”.

For a brief spell, the fiscal added, “there was a period where he was calm and compliant with the officer”.

However matter deteriorated again in the A&E department at Dr Gray’s.

The young man was seen spitting, though “not in the direction of anybody in particular”.

At this stage, Mr Morton said Langiewicz was: “Taken from Dr Gray’s Hospital to Elgin Police Station, a similar kind of behaviour did continue within the custody suite.”

The court heard that he also called police officers “spastics”.

Langiewicz was re-examined by medical staff, the fiscal said, but “no formal mental health illness was discovered at the time”.

He was then remanded in custody.

Solicitor Stephen Carty said his client, who is “still 20 years of age”, has a difficult relationship with substances and alcohol.

A number of “stablilising influences” in his life have been removed, he added, including his education, employment and support from family members.

“He is a young man who requires support to deal with his alcohol and substance abuse,” the solicitor said.

“He does have a significant way to go, but the report is positive with the fact there is some engagement.“

The young man, he added, “does appreciate the gravity” of the situation.

Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov ordered Langiewicz to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, and made him subject to 18 months of social work supervision.

The 20-year-old was also ordered to engage with drug and alcohol treatment services.