AIDEN BRENNER'S RECKLESS ESCAPADE IN DINGWALL ENDS WITH JAIL SENTENCE

In December 2020, the small town of Dingwall was the scene of a serious altercation involving convicted sex offender Aiden Bremner, whose actions led to his re-arrest and subsequent imprisonment. Bremner, who had previously resided in Wick, had been living in Mill Street, Dingwall, after his release from prison. His release came with strict conditions, including a curfew that he was required to adhere to following his release on licence in September 2019, after serving a six-year sentence for engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl.

On the day in question, Bremner attempted to purchase a train ticket to return to his home in Mill Street, Dingwall. The train journey was intended to help him comply with his curfew, which mandated that he be at his residence before a specified time. However, the ticket inspector on board the train refused his request to buy a ticket and promptly ejected him from the carriage, citing his failure to adhere to the rules.

It was later revealed during a court hearing at Inverness Sheriff Court that Bremner had indeed violated his curfew by not being at his home before the designated time. This breach was part of a series of violations that drew police attention. On December 23, 2020, officers arrived at his residence on Mill Street to execute a warrant and return him to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence. Bremner, however, did not go quietly. When police attempted to arrest him, he resisted violently, leading to a physical struggle that resulted in injuries to a police officer, including a broken nose.

During the trial held last Friday before Sheriff Robert Frazer, Bremner pleaded guilty to charges of resisting arrest and threatening behaviour. The court heard that Bremner fought fiercely against the officers, lashing out with his arms and legs, striking one officer in the face, and even putting a police officer in a headlock. He also managed to wrestle a baton from an officer during the altercation.

As a result of his actions, Bremner was sentenced to five months in prison, with the sentence being backdated to December 23, 2020, the day of his arrest. The prosecution, led by Fiscal depute Emily Hood, confirmed that Bremner’s release licence had been revoked, which justified the police’s decision to arrest him. The violent resistance displayed by Bremner not only delayed his return to custody but also resulted in injuries to law enforcement personnel, highlighting the dangers faced by officers in such confrontations.

His case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in monitoring and managing convicted sex offenders, especially those who breach their conditions and resist lawful arrest. The incident in Dingwall serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strict supervision and the potential consequences when offenders choose to defy the law.