A shoeless lout who threatened to petrol bomb children before coughing at a shop employee and spitting in a police officer’s face has been ordered to perform unpaid work.
John Duncan terrorised staff at Graham Street News, Dundee, after he was caught trying to hide a milkshake in his clothing.
The 28-year-old later repeatedly punched a police officer while clutching a screwdriver and trying to gouge his eye, before spitting in the face of another.
Duncan previously pled guilty at Dundee Sheriff Court to committing the April 2 crime spree.
Terrorised shop staff
It was previously revealed how Shahida Amini was working in the shop when she became aware of a mask-less and barefoot Duncan enter with two friends.
Duncan shouted: “F****** b******* I’m going to petrol bomb your kids,” after being accused of trying to steal the milkshake.
Prosecutor Lora Apostolova said: “The witness was alarmed and scared at what the accused was shouting as he was very aggressive.
“The accused’s friends tried to calm him but he remained agitated.
“The accused was seen putting his feet on the freezer before being told to stop.
“He then walked around the side of the shop counter where there was no protective screen and coughed, before shouting, ‘I am going to burn the shop to ashes’.”
Fought with police
Police were contacted and Duncan tried to flee after he was spotted on Woodside Terrace a short time later.
Duncan then began to punch PC James Buchanan while clutching a screwdriver, before gouging his right eye.
He was restrained on the ground and handcuffed but managed to spit in the face of PC Finlay McInally, as well as making attempts to bite him.
Mr Buchanan suffered scrapes and bruising to the side of his head but did not require any treatment.
Solicitor Theo Finlay said Duncan had experienced significant difficulties with childhood trauma and drug abuse.
Sheriff Gregor Murray said: “You have already served the equivalent of a 10-month sentence on remand.
“These offences merited a more serious term of imprisonment.
“However, having regard to the positive original report and the new drug treatment assessment, you might be on the cusp of stopping to offend.”
He was ordered to perform 240 hours of unpaid work and placed on supervision for 18 months.
He was told to comply with a drug treatment order for the same period.
