Former policeman spared jail after assaulting car thief
An award-winning former policeman's been spared jail after violently attacking a serial car thief who tried to run away from officers.
An award-winning former policeman's been spared jail after violently attacking a serial car thief who tried to run away from officers.
Andrew Martin, 31, repeatedly punched Liam Smith while he was carrying out an arrest warrant for another wanted individual.
The top cop had been stressing out over paperwork so had joined other officers on another job in a bid to "clear his head".
But Martin ended up in a scuffle with Smith after the teenager - who was wanted for questioning - tried to evade police.
Martin, who previously admitted the offence, narrowly avoided a prison sentence at Aberdeen Sheriff Court when he appeared for sentencing earlier.
Instead he was ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community. The court heard the Crown took nearly three years to bring the case to court.
Sheriff Graeme Napier said the offence, which took place on December 17, 2013, warranted a custodial sentence.
But he added that he noted the former cop's good record, enthusiasm for the job and the "devastating" impact that the incident had on his family life.
And the sheriff said he had to take into account the "extraordinary" time it had taken the Crown to get the case to court.
The case had been hanging over Martin for nearly three years due to "ongoing" investigations.
Sheriff Napier said: "Andrew Martin you have pled guilty to a serious charge of assault on a person who at the time should have had the protection of the law.
"Your commission of this offence strikes at the heart of the criminal justice system. You know that and you resigned.
"This was no proverbial clip around the ear hole that we used to hear about in days gone past.
"This was an assault plain and simple."
He added: "This is one of the most straightforward cases I have come across.
"This was clearly out of character."
Martin was given a community payback order. He has to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community in the next six months.
The court heard previously that Martin, who was in line for a promotion to the CID, had been "extremely stressed" before the assault.
As he was struggling to concentrate on paperwork in his office he decided to join two other officers carrying out an arrest warrant in Aberdeen's Stocket Grange.
When the officers pulled up at the address they noticed Smith scrambling from a window.
Although he was not the target of the arrest warrant, Martin knew that Smith was wanted by police.
The cop chased the then 17-year-old and caught him.
Smith then struggled with the officer on the ground to avoid being cuffed.
In an attempt to "subdue" the prolific car thief, Martin then repeatedly punched his face.
Martin hit him between "four to seven times" in the face, leaving him bleeding heavily from the nose and with a swollen eye.
The dad-of-three, who was highly respected by his colleagues and received a humanitarian award, quit the force after being placed on office duties following the incident.
The court heard that the violent outburst had wrecked his 10-year police career and crushed his dreams of landing a job with CID.
Martin refused to comment when leaving court.