A man who squared up to a junior doctor, spat on a police van and assaulted two officers was given a community-based sentence at Perth Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
The court heard how Christopher Graham, 28, of Airdrie, had been taken to the accident and emergency department of Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) to be treated for a cut to his right eye.
However, he was taken into custody after swearing at nursing staff and squaring up “face-to-face” with a junior doctor.
Depute Fiscal Robbie Brown told the court Graham had been taken to the hospital at around 7am.
“The accused became aggressive towards nursing staff and swore at them,” he said.
“He squared up to a male junior doctor and called him a faggot.”
Mr Brown said Graham was then handcuffed by police officers but on his way to a police van he proceeded to spit on the vehicle.
“The accused then struggled with officers and kicked one on the thigh.
“Police conveyed him to Perth Police HQ but the accused then punched another officer on the head at the charge-bar.”
Graham’s solicitor said his client had an “ongoing” problem with using cannabis, but had showed “empathy” for the hospital staff he had sworn at and the two police officers he had assaulted.
Graham had admitted that on May 21 at the A & E department of PRI, he acted in an aggressive manner towards a female nurse and a male junior doctor by shouting, swearing and making derogatory remarks at them and refusing to desist.
He also admitted that on the same date in the car park of the A & E department of PRI, he spat on a police vehicle, struck a police officer, attempted to exit the vehicle and struggled violently with officers.
Graham pled guilty to a further charge that on the same date at Perth Police HQ, Barrack Street, Perth, he punched a police officer on the head.
Sentencing Graham, Sheriff Gillian Wade told him: “It’s a very serious matter to assault police officers and nursing staff who are employed to assist people and there was a strong possibility you could have faced a custodial sentence.
“However, I will impose a very high level community payback order instead.”
The sheriff ordered Graham to carry out 270 hours’ unpaid work in the community as part of an 18 month community payback order, whereby he will be under supervision for that period.
