Ross-shire man from Tain jailed at Inverness Sheriff Court for biting Police Scotland officer and spitting in face of another

A TAIN man who bit a police officer and spat in the face of another was jailed for a year at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday (Tuesday).

But Daniel Sutherland (30), of Mansfield Estate, is currently serving a one-year jail sentence and the latest penalty was back-dated to September 13 when he was remanded. Therefore Sheriff Robert Frazer’s decision to make the jail terms concurrent means Sutherland’s release date will not be affected.

Sentence had been deferred for a background report after Inverness Sheriff Court was told that officers had been dispatched to the Mansfield Estate at 8.40pm on September 12 to deal with a disturbance. Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood said that when they arrived, they were confronted by an intoxicated Sutherland, also known as McQuillan, who had blood on his head, nose and hands.

She added: “He became aggressive and tried to run away and an officer grabbed his arm. Sutherland attempted to punch him on the head and pulled the hair of a female officer and he was taken to the ground. But he bit the female officer’s arm, although the skin was not broken. Assistance was called and as he was being put in the police van, he spat in the face of an officer."

Mrs Eastwood added that Sutherland had to be taken first to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for a check-up. The injured officers did not require treatment.

Solicitor Clare Russell said her client was aware “there is no option for the court other than a prison sentence here”. She added: “His relationship had broken down in 2018 and he had been misusing substances. He uses violence in some situations and recognises it is in no way appropriate.”

Sheriff Frazer told Sutherland, who admitted both assaults: “You have a bad record... for crimes of violence. This is your seventh conviction for assault. Assaulting police, particularly at this time of a Covid pandemic is even more serious.”

More court news.