Two police officers gassed themselves with CS spray when an arrest of a former wrestler went badly wrong in the Western Isles.

Within 15 seconds of entering 61-year-old William Hollister’s small caravan, things were not going to plan.

With one caught in a headlock and the other pinned down, both officers were forced to use the CS irritant – but unfortunately affected themselves as badly as their target, a court heard.

Hollister of South Uist told a trial he feared “hit men” were coming to attack him, insisting the two officers barged into his caravan “like thugs” without identifying themselves.

Giving evidence at Lochmaddy Sheriff Court, he said: “I thought there were my ex-wife’s brothers.”

They said they “were taking you to Lochmaddy,” and in Gaelic, ordered him to “cuir a-mach do làmhan (put out your hands).

“I just panicked. I didn’t know if they were hit men.”

He said his face was “burned” by the CS spray.

In his evidence, North Uist police sergeant Angus Morrison said: “I have dealt with serious criminals in my 18 years police service and never had cause to use CS spray before.”

He desribed how Hollister rapidly became “very aggressive” and trapped the sergeant’s neck in a very firm headlock.

“I was in a bit of a predicament at that stage,” observed the officer.

“All I could see was the floor of the caravan. My colleague was shouting for Mr Hollister to stop or get sprayed with CS gas.”

Sgt Morrison said the incident “escalated very, very quickly with no warning whatsoever” with very loud shouting from all in a mix of Gaelic and English.

Defence lawyer Craig Grimes maintained police came in heavy handed to a “61-year-old man – not the incredible hulk” – who misunderstood who they were, he was confused and disorientated while the dim light made their yellow police jackets look the same as high visibility work wear found everywhere.

After trial, Hollister was found guilty of the headlock assault and violently resisting arrest.

He was acquitted of a charge of sitting on top of one police officer and hitting him with his elbow due to the lack of corroboration as the only potential witness was face down in a headlock at the time.

Sheriff Chris Dickson, who deferred sentence for six months, said: “I see you were going through difficulties at the time but your behaviour was not acceptable.”

In 2005, Hollister saved four people during a deadly storm which lashed South Uist.

He waded through rising flood water to rescue them from their swamped car, carrying them to safety.

Hollister used to compete in wrestling contests and Highland games strongman events