A drunken Good Samaritan was arrested after a moment of “gross stupidity” when he tried to help an unconscious friend who had slipped on ice.
Miller McIntosh from Forfar had been out at the town’s Royal nightclub when he saw a drinking companion strike his head on icy concrete outside.
The 30-year-old went to help but began pestering police officers who were already working on the man.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond told Forfar Sheriff Court the man remained unconscious throughout the incident.
She said: “At around 2am on January 15 2017, police witnesses attended the Royal nightclub in Forfar as part of normal operational duties.
“While they were in attendance, a male slipped and fell on ice-covered concrete and hit his head on the ground.
“While the male was being attended to by officers, the accused attempted to intervene on several occasions.
“He was repeatedly told to stand back. He became more aggressive and started to pull them off by the arm. This made it difficult, if not impossible for officers to attend to the injured male.”
McIntosh was arrested after several warnings and a final chance to avoid spending the rest of the night in the cells.
Solicitor Billy Rennie said his client’s “good intentions” were hampered by drink.
“He’s been trying to help but has been more of an obstruction. He used to work with the individual and spoke to him in the nightclub.
“He was very concerned but got in the way more than anything else. It doesn’t strike me as being in character for him.”
Fining McIntosh £500, Sheriff Gregor Murray said: “This is a serious charge, an act of gross stupidity.
“You do have some previous convictions but they are not directly analogous.”
McIntosh, Restenneth Drive, admitted resisting, obstructing or hindering constables Sean Webster, Stephen Curry and Scott Hunter in their duties, repeatedly jostling with them, attempting to intervene and reach for an unconscious member of the public lying on the ground, and preventing the constables from rendering first aid, lashing out with arms and legs.
A not guilty plea to a charge of assaulting PC Curry by pushing him was accepted by the Crown.
