Ullapool man spat on officer during "filthy" behaviour on Inverness night out
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A Highland man who gave the middle finger to police before spitting on an officer has blamed alcohol for his "filthy" behaviour.
Andrew Burgess (29) had been in Inverness city centre close to midnight on February 11 last year when the incident took place.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Burgess had been on Queensgate around 11.45pm when he took exception to two officers on patrol.
Fiscal depute Susan Love said: "They were on foot patrol.
"The accused gave them the middle finger."
She said he then spat at one of the officers, with the spittle landing on the constable's hat.
He then became verbally aggressive, which continued when he was taken into custody at Burnett Road police station.
Court papers stated that he attempted to headbutt an officer while being processed.
Defence agent Marc Dickson said: "Quite simply Mr Burgess had too much to drink.
"He regrets the decision to drink to excess."
Mr Dickson said his client offered an "unreserved apology" to the officers involved.
Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald imposed a structured deferred sentence to see if Burgess, of Moss Road, Ullapool, can work with social workers.
The sheriff said he may face additional unpaid work down the line.
Sheriff MacDonald said: "This was filthy behaviour on your part."
