Moray man’s ‘biggest siege Elgin has ever seen’ meltdown after row with partner over birthday presents

A man armed himself with knives and threatened police with bottles of acid and a petrol bomb during an hours-long Elgin siege.

Colin Grant, of Pinegrove in Elgin, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court by video link from HMP Polmont to admit charges of assault and threatening behaviour at a house on the town’s Jasmine Drive on May 25, 2024.

The 44-year-old, who is currently serving a two-year jail sentence, was jailed for 32 months by Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald.

Fiscal depute Emily Hood told Sheriff Macdonald that a row sparked by birthday presents led to the siege, which Grant said would be “the biggest Elgin has ever seen”.

He became aggressive after being told by his partner that she had spent £700 on his bank card on gifts.

He began drinking vodka and took drugs. She tried to get him out of the house.

Ms Hood said: "He pushed her with both hands to the floor and she went out to the garden to phone the police.

“The accused said: 'If she is phoning the police, she is getting decked.’”

On returning to the house, his attention turned to a young girl in the property and he pushed her down the stairs before police were called.

Ms Hood added: "Police arrived and he barricaded himself in the house, was seen to be drinking vodka and taking tablets, got three knives and threatened to kill any officer who came in.

“He shouted: 'This is going to be the biggest siege Elgin has ever seen.'

“Firearms officers had to be called.”

The court heard that Grant could be seen pouring boiling water into a bottle and adding sugar to it before threatening to throw it over the police. He also claimed he had acid in another bottle.

The siege came to an end when Grant became unsteady on his feet and then collapsed unconscious as a result of the intoxicants he had taken.

Jailing Grant, the Sheriff told him: "Your behaviour was absolutely shocking and violent, unacceptable towards people who were trying to help you and you were apparently relishing it.

“Because of the danger you posed and the threats you made to police, it will be a lengthy jail sentence."