A “Jekyll and Hyde” Angus man assaulted three police officers after they said they couldn’t take a bank card payment for an outstanding fine when he was arrested in the street in the early hours.
Officers discovered there was a live warrant against Stuart McAndrew over an unpaid £160 fine when they were called to an incident involving him in Arbroath.
The 36-year-old turned violent, warning them he would make them “work for their money” after being told he was being placed under arrest.
McAndrew butted one officer on the body, kneed and butted another and kicked a third in the November 3 incident on Arbroath’s Dundee Road.
He has now been warned by a sheriff he could go to prison in light of his previous record.
Depute fiscal Bill Kermode told Forfar Sheriff Court McAndrew had been on a works day out on November 2 and had phoned a pal to give him a lift home.
They then had a fall-out and the friend contacted police, who found them in the street.
“Checks were carried out and the accused was found to have an outstanding means warrant of £160,” added the fiscal.
Police said they could take payment, but when told a card settlement wasn’t an option McAndrew reacted badly and told them he would “not come easy”.
He initially fell over, but then butted one constable on the body on his way back to his feet, before assaulting the others.
The court heard it took around 15 minutes in total to get him handcuffed and into a police van.
Mr Kermode added: “He was taken to police headquarters and en route calmed down.”
Defence solicitor Billy Rennie said McAnrdew had received a community-based disposal for similar offence a few years ago.
The lawyer added: “He is classically the Jekyll and Hyde character, a very mild-mannered individual when he is sober.
“He has been on a curfew for this since the beginning and there have been no issues.”
Sheriff Derek Reekie told McAndrew, of Kinloch Street, Carnoustie: “It may be that you are a Jekyll and Hyde character – what the police have to cope with is your alter ego.
“This was an extremely nasty incident and very fortunate that there were no serious injuries, no thanks to you.”
Sentence was deferred until April 9 for a background report and tagging order.
