A court heard how a Tayside Police officer felt like a “leper” during a six-month wait for the outcome of tests after being pricked by a drug-user’s needle.
Sergeant Ashley Dewar feared she could have contracted HIV or hepatitis from the syringe in the pocket of serial offender Dana Stewart’s jeans.
The 23-year-old failed to let the officer know she was carrying it before she was searched after being arrested in connection with a serious assault charge.
At Forfar Sheriff Court Stewart, of Castle Street, was acquitted of the assault charge after a jury returned a majority not proven verdict on an indictment alleging that she had attacked John West in Glenmoy Terrace on April 12 last year with a mug, or similar instrument, to his permanent disfigurement and impairment.
The jury were then informed of Stewart’s earlier plea of guilty to the other part of the indictment in which she admitted that on April 25, at Viewmount, she failed to inform Sgt Dewar she had a hypodermic syringe, causing the officer to prick her thumb, to the endangerment of her health and with disregard for the consequences.
Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said police were looking for Stewart in connection with the alleged assault, with two officers going to the front door and two to the back of the property.
She said, “The accused ran from the back door and she was arrested by Sergant Ashley Dewar.
“Because she is an arrested person the officers are entitled to search her and prior to that Sgt Dewar asked her if she had anything in her pockets, specifically bladed or sharp instruments.”
Stewart said she did not and the officer proceeded with the search, the court heard.Tight jeansMs Kennedy said, “The jeans were very tight and as the officer inserted her left hand into the right trouser pocket she was pricked by the hypodermic syringe.”The needle was facing up with no cap on.
The fiscal said, “It was right next to the seam and when the officer had patted the jeans she did not feel anything because the jeans were so tight.
“She knew the accused was a drug user and was concerned that she might be infected by the syringe.”
The officer was examined at hospital and advised to consider herself at risk of HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B.
Ms Kennedy said, “The officer confirms this was a horrendous time for her.
“She describes herself as a leper and was concerned that others particularly her husband may also be at risk.”
She added, “She had three separate tests to undergo and it wasn’t until the final test that it was confirmed all clear.”
Deferring sentence on Stewart until May 12 for social work reports and a restriction of liberty order assessment, Sheriff Kevin Veal said imprisonment was an option.
He said, “She has 22 previous convictions and I regard this as very serious.
“I will keep an open mind on the matter until I have all the necessary reports before me, but she might be well advised to consider the prospect of a prison sentence.”