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Early release prisoner attacked stranger in Perth and threated to rape and murder police

Ross Cossans at a previous court appearance in Aberdeen
Ross Cossans at a previous court appearance in Aberdeen

A violent thug who brutally assaulted a random stranger just hours after he was released from Perth Prison nearly two years early is back behind bars.

One-man crimewave Ross Cossans twice escaped police custody after consuming “goodness knows how many drugs” and then offered passers-by a £1,000 reward if they attacked his arresting officers.

During a foul-mouthed tirade at Perth Royal Infirmary, in front of police, staff and elderly patients, he threatened to take out a razor and “skin the lot of you” and bellowed: “F*** the Queen.”

Cossans, formerly of Tullis Place, Aberdeen, appeared via video link at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted the November 2 2021 assault and six other criminal charges relating to an “abysmal” course of conduct the following day.

The assault happened on St Catherine’s Road, Perth.

The attack on St Catherine’s Road happened on the day he was released from jail for – amongst other offences – threatening to slit a puppy’s throat and hurling it across a room.

The court heard his jail term was originally due to expire in October 2023.

On Friday, he was jailed for 32 months.

The full weight of the law

Sheriff William Wood told Cossans: “While I understand the position you may have found yourself on November 2, clearly there is not much that can be said in mitigation.

“This was a sustained assault and given your record only a further period of custody is appropriate.”

The sheriff added: “Regarding what happened on November 3, these were all very unpleasant events and would indeed have caused police officers some real concern.

perthshire sex assaults photographer
Perth Sheriff Court.

“Your efforts to escape were always unlikely to be successful, given you were in rigid handcuffs but nevertheless this sort of behaviour is despicable.

“You cannot escape from police custody and not expect the full weight of the law to be thrown at you.”

Assault caught on camera

Fiscal depute Lora Apostolova told the court assault victim Aaron Watt was walking along St Catherine’s Road in Perth when Cossan’s approached him.

Appearing friendly at first, Cossans asked if he knew where to buy weed.

When Mr Watt tried to walk away, Cossans launched himself at him.

He put him in a chokehold and dragged him to the ground and punched him in the eye.

A passing motorist saw Cossans “push Mr Watt into a bush, before repeatedly punching him on the head,” said the fiscal depute.

She beeped her horn, which paused the attack temporarily.

The witness began videoing Cossans as he continued raining down punches onto Mr Watt while he cried out for help.

Cossans eventually got up and walked away.

Sick kids had to be moved

The next day, police arrested Cossans after identifying him from the mobile phone footage.

He was placed in the back of a police van but burst out and ran along St John Street.

After a short chase he was led back into custody by officers.

He shouted to people in the street: “I will give you £1,000 if you put these c***s in a headlock.”

Cossans was later rushed to hospital after telling police he had swallowed 12g of heroin.

Perth Royal Infirmary.

At Perth Royal Infirmary, he made a series of vile rape and murder threats such as: “I’ll get a gun and shoot every cop I see.”

His behaviour was so unruly, a group of sick children had to be moved away for their own safety, Ms Apostolova said.

At one point he managed to push past police and hospital staff and tried to escape by jumping over a wall.

Mistaken identity

Solicitor Mike Monro, defending, told the court: “The accused’s behaviour here is the worst example of being anti-social to authority and to others.

“His position was that he had been released from prison that day and had been given a travel grant to return to Aberdeen.

“He then met up with another person who he had become acquainted during his most recent stay at HMP Perth.

“This person was to be the conduit for the accused to buy drugs – obviously defeating the purpose of some of the good work done at Perth Prison.”

Mr Watt was mistakenly thought by the pair to be their drug dealer, said Mr Monro.

The lawyer said when police caught up with his client the next day he had “consumed goodness knows how many drugs and his mental state was very worrying.”

He added: “I cannot say anything mitigatory about his behaviour. He has to accept it was completely abysmal.”

The court heard Cossans had refused to comply with a background report prepared by social workers.

Cossans was sent back to jail to complete the unexpired 24 month portion of his previous sentence.

On top of that, he was imprisoned for a further 10 months.

He will be supervised for five months once he’s released.