A former police officer who wrapped a woman’s head in sticky tape after handcuffing her in the crucifix position has been ordered to pay his victim compensation.
George Stewart handcuffed Arlene Pattie, 47, at Dundee East Port House in 2011.
He was found guilty of assault following the incident, which saw two officers attend the hostel to arrest a resident in July last year. He was ordered to pay Mrs Pattie £1,000 in criminal injury compensation.
At the trial his co-accused, Pc Shirley Tindall, was found not guilty of assault.
The trial lasted four days during which Stewart had pleaded not guilty, and claimed the taping and handcuffing was part of a flirty relationship with the victim.
He went onto say that he was “gobsmacked” that a complaint had been made against him.
Sheriff Richard Davidson, however, described Stewart as “juvenile” and “unprofessional”.
The court heard how Stewart had wrapped tape over her glasses, hair, and nose and left her in a hysterical state.
Mrs Pattie said she was handcuffed in a crucifix position after Stewart borrowed a pair of handcuffs from his colleague.
She added that she was “humiliated” and “petrified” by the attack.
She said: “He was sitting on the desk playing with the roll of tape.
“He then started rolling it round my head. It was down over my nose – that was what frightened me the most.”
Susan Duff, Stewart’s advocate, said: “Not only was policing his career, it was his life and he is now left without it.
“He is deeply apologetic for having caused Mrs Pattie such upset.”
Summing up, Sheriff Davidson accused Pc Tindall of not telling the truth but decided that passing handcuffs to Stewart did not constitute assault.
To Stewart he said: “Your behaviour was wholly unprofessional and juvenile.
“On this particular occasion you lost all sense of proportion and responsibility – I don’t know what you were thinking.
“Your behaviour has an unfortunate reflection on other officers of Tayside Police and that’s perhaps the most unfortunate aspect of this case.”
