A man will be sentenced next month for his bizarre tea-time behaviour that ended with an attempt to bite and kick a policewoman.
Thomas Scott, of Primrose Street, Carnoustie, admitted behaving in a threatening manner and repeatedly following a man in the town’s Dundee Street, West Park and Braefoot on September 9, and assaulting a WPC on the same date when he appeared before Sheriff Pino Di Emidio at Forfar.
Fiscal depute Jill Drummond said the incident leading to Scott’s arrest began around 5.30pm when a man leaving the town’s Stag Inn noticed the accused standing nearby.
“He ignored him and began to walk home but the accused began to follow him and make conversation, asking him things such as ‘Do you believe in God?’
“The accused also asked the witness to assault him by punching him in the face, and followed him the entire length of West Path.”
The man then met another person and, despite trying to have a conversation with them, continued to be harassed by 47-year-old Scott.
The court heard the accused refused to leave despite being repeatedly asked to do so, and when police were called Scott was seen by officers to be acting in a peculiar manner.
“The majority of his speech was gibberish and he appeared to be speaking in foreign languages,” added the fiscal.
“He also appeared to be extremely under the influence.”
But Scott’s demeanour quickly changed and he became aggressive towards officers, attempting to bite a female officer and kick her on the leg.
Scott had to be subdued on the ground and handcuffed, and was shouting obscenities during the arrest.
Defence solicitor Theo Findlay told the court his client was a single man who had never been in trouble before, but had a history of mental illness.
“He also has a history of alcohol difficulties and receives assistance in that respect,” he added.
“He shouldn’t drink and on this particular afternoon had too much to drink.”
Sheriff Di Emidio continued Scott’s case until October 30 for social inquiry reports to be prepared.