ALEXANDER CHALMERS SHETLAND ASSAULTS CHILDREN AND FIGHTS POLICE AT LERWICK BUS STOP

In a disturbing incident that unfolded in Lerwick, Shetland, a 32-year-old man named Alexander Chalmers was involved in a series of violent and disruptive actions at a local bus stop, which culminated in a police chase and his subsequent arrest. The events took place on the evening of December 10, with Chalmers’s behavior shocking witnesses and prompting a serious legal response.

According to court records, the incident began around 5 pm at the Esplanade bus stop in Lerwick, where three young teenagers were waiting for their bus. The prosecutor, Duncan MacKenzie, described Chalmers as appearing to be heavily intoxicated, noting that he was “clearly intoxicated by some substance.” Witnesses observed Chalmers approaching the bus stop in an aggressive manner, shouting and swearing at the children present. His behavior quickly escalated into physical assault as he lunged at a 13-year-old girl, grabbing her face in a forceful manner until she managed to break free from his grip.

Chalmers then turned his attention to a 15-year-old boy, grabbing his hand and twisting his arm before the teenager could escape. During the altercation, he also forcibly took glasses from another 15-year-old boy and punched him in the body, causing visible pain and distress. The young victims were visibly shaken by the encounter, and their sense of safety was severely compromised.

Following the assault, Chalmers boarded a bus operated by Sumburgh, refusing to pay the fare and claiming he wanted to travel west. Despite being on the wrong bus, he sat down, which further unsettled the children, who were already shaken by his earlier aggression. The bus driver, concerned for safety, physically removed Chalmers from the vehicle. In a reckless act, Chalmers then threw a carrier bag filled with glass bottles at the driver, narrowly missing him and creating a dangerous situation.

Not stopping there, Chalmers managed to board another bus, where he continued to display aggressive and disruptive behavior. The police were called to the scene, but Chalmers fled the area upon their arrival, jumping over a wall to escape. A swift police response led to his quick apprehension, but not without a struggle. Chalmers resisted violently, fighting with officers before being subdued and taken into custody.

While being transported in a police van, Chalmers vomited all over himself, adding to the chaos of the situation. His disruptive conduct persisted even at the hospital, where he shouted and swore for nearly four hours before he was finally stabilized and taken back to the police station. The court proceedings revealed the full extent of his misconduct, and Sheriff Ian Cruickshank decided to adjourn sentencing to allow for the preparation of criminal justice social work reports, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of Chalmers’s case and background.