Blantyre man admits shooting crossbow at police officers

A grieving man who blasted a police officer with a loaded crossbow amid claims he was struggling with his father's death has been jailed for eight years. Christopher Hutchison shot Sergeant Stuart Morrison during chaotic scenes at his home in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire last October.

Christopher Hutchison shot Sergeant Stuart Morrison during chaotic scenes at his home in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire last October. Armed officers rushed to the property after the 37 year-old was seen with the potentially deadly weapon.

Sgt Morrison fortunately escaped without any serious injury – but Hutchison still went on to set fire to his home sparking further drama. A judge heard Hutchison was in “self destruct mode” following the death of his cancer stricken dad two days earlier.

He is now back behind bars for a further eight years after he pled guilty to charges of assault, culpable and reckless as well as wilful fire-raising.

He will be supervised in the community for a further four years after his release.

Passing sentence yesterday (Tues) judge Lady Rae said he had pled guilty to serious crimes which put the the public and emergency services at “serious risk of injury, if not death”.

She said: “The officers were there to merely exercise their proper authority to arrest you in connection with an unrelated matter but you held them at bay for about four hours in what I would describe as siege conditions.

“Local school were placed on lockdown for safety reasons.

"You injured one officer fortunately not seriously, but it was obvious you did not care whom you might injure."

She added: “Not satisfied with that, you set fire to your house which I am told of the potential risk to the lives of neighbours.”

It emerged Hutchison already had a lengthy criminal past with a recent jail term for hurling items – including heaters and a chest of drawers – at police.

He will serve the remaining 75 days of that sentence also.

The High Court in Glasgow heard police were initially called to Hutchison's home on the morning of October 24 following reports of a disturbance.

Hutchison was soon spotted with a loaded crossbow.

His house was near two different schools leading to the area being made “secure” as firearms officers were alerted.

Prosecutor Sean Smith QC said the weapon was described as “powerful” capable of causing “serious injury”.

Mr Smith: “Firing bolts (from the crossbow) carried clear disregard for the safety of others.”

Sgt Morrison was one of the armed officers outside the property.

He was 10 metres away when Hutchison discharged the crossbow with a bolt going through a closed door and striking the policeman.

It luckily only broke the skin on the officer's arm.

A police negotiator was then called to try and calm Hutchison. His girlfriend was also in the house at the time.

But, the thug continued to fire the crossbow out of a window onto the street.

At one point, he shouted that was a “warning” to police.

He eventually dropped the weapon, but only after claiming he had “run out of bolts”.

Hutchison then yelled his “neighbours better be out” as he had petrol and was going to set fire to his house.

He went on to torch curtains in the lounge as well as to an upturned bed in a room.

The court heard the blaze spread “rapidly” with the property badly damaged.

Both Hutchison and his partner were eventually taken out of the house.

Euan Dow, defending, said Hutchison's father had died two days before the crimes.

The advocate added Hutchison had a “very demanding role” as his dad's carer and appeared to suffer a “bereavement breakdown” that day.

Mr Dow told the court: “In the morning in question, he was in self destruct mode.

“It is clear – taking him at his word – that he did not care if he lived or died himself and appeared hellbent in provoking the firearms officers.”

Hutchison now wanted to “express his apologies” for striking Sgt Morrison