'Disappearing up the neck of a bottle will not help': Sheriff tells woman who spat at police to address her health issues

Police answered a distress call from a Sutherland woman only to be subjected to a torrent of abuse when they were called to a Dornoch housing estate.

In the Morrison Court property was 43-year-old Naomi MacIvor who officers could see was acting erratically in the living room, fiscal depute Robert Weir told Inverness Sheriff Court.

"The incident began about 12.14am on February 6 this year and officers attracted MacIvor's attention by banging on the window.

"She opened the window and started shouting and screaming." Mr Weir said. "She spat in the face of an officer, claimed she could have Covid and slammed the window shut."

MacIvor was arrested and as handcuffs were being applied, she attempted to spit in the face of the officer again but failed to make contact, Mr Weir added.

The court heard assistance was required and a police van was sent into which she was put.

MacIvor began to kick out so violently within the vehicle that leg restraints had to be applied.

Mr Weir said that her shouting, swearing and spitting continued throughout this time and officers had to don personal protection equipment as she claimed she had Covid and was "full of it".

MacIvor previously admitted threatening behaviour and two charges of assault. Sentence had been deferred for a background report.

Defence solicitor advocate Clare Russell told Sheriff Gary Aitken: "She suffers from a myriad of health difficulties and she has to address them. She called the police for help but was significantly under the influence of alcohol."

Sheriff Aitken ordered MacIvor to carry out 210 hours of unpaid community work and placed her under social work supervision for 18 months.

But he told her: "Your behaviour was inexcusable and you are very close to a custodial sentence. You must address your health sooner rather than later. Disappearing up the neck of a bottle of alcohol will not help you."