Drunk student spat at cop

A FIRST year university student assaulted a police officer by spitting on his head after he was picked up by officers for being so drunk.

James Mackay (23) returned home to his mother's house for the Christmas break from Aberdeen University when the incident took place, Inverness Sheriff Court heard.

Depute fiscal Lene Doherty said Mackay, of Tradespark Road, Nairn, was on a night out in Inverness when he decided to walk home. She said: "Due to concerns his friends had, police were contacted."

When police found him at Millburn Academy, they noticed he was extremely intoxicated and escorted him into the back of their van where he started being aggressive. Fiscal Doherty said: "He was shouting and swearing and threatening to punch an officer. He then spat at one officer's head."

Mackay pled guilty to assaulting a police officer by spitting on him on December 22 outside Millburn Academy. He also pled guilty to behaving in a threatening manner, shouting and swearing at police and breaching the peace.

Sheriff Ian Abercrombie deferred sentence on Mackay until January 26 with the condition he does not purchase or consume alcohol.