A disgruntled Angus man made a 999 call from the back of a police car to complain about his treatment by officers who had arrested him.
David Sturrock had also earlier made another emergency call from the street in Forfar where he had been asked to wait after police investigated a night-time incident allegedly involving a baseball bat.
At Forfar Sheriff Court on Thursday, Sturrock (33), of Graham Crescent, Forfar, was fined £180 when he admitted misusing the 999 system on April 26 by making false reports.
Fiscal depute Hannah Kennedy said police were twice called to the Glenmoy Terrace area of Forfar that evening following reports of a disturbance.
On the second occasion, around 11pm, one householder had telephoned friends to say he was scared to be in his own home because of the situation outside.
”The accused was advised he was being searched but became aggressive,” said the fiscal depute. ”He then took out his mobile phone and dialled 999, claiming that officers were assaulting him and he was being harassed by police.
”During the journey to Dundee he telephoned 999 again and made allegations that he was being arrested unnecessarily.”
Defence agent Bob Bruce said: ”It was clearly a foolhardy thing to do but he was registering what he thought was a legitimate complaint.”