Teenager togethelp tostop bad‘spiral’

An Airdrie teenager is set to get help to ensure her life doesn’t “spiral” downwards.

Police officers had to self-isolate when Rebecca Armstrong claimed she was suffering from Covid.

Their vehicles had to be deep-cleaned and other officers took the 18-year-old on a 32-mile round trip to hospital – only to find she had tested negative for the virus.

Armstrong, of Staffa Drive, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week.

She admitted threatening or abusive behaviour on Innerleithen Drive, Wishaw, on February 10 last year.

She also admitted assaulting a police officer and making a false claim about Covid.

The court heard police officers went to a house in Innerleithen Drive around 3.20am.

Armstrong was upstairs with a male, who was arrested.

Abby Seal, prosecuting, said: “On seeing this, Armstrong began to scream uncontrollably.

“She was shouting and swearing at the officers and took a particular dislike to a male PC. She told him she hoped he and his ‘weans’ would die.

“Armstrong was arrested and, without provocation, spat on a male PC’S arm. She also tried to headbutt him and made comments about the IRA.

“She said she had tested positive for Covid-19 and told the officer, ‘I hope you get the Covid and die’.”

Armstrong’s comments resulted in “extensive disruption” to police activities.

Ms Beal said: “Officers had to self-isolate and various vehicles were deep-cleaned and taken off the road.

“Other officers made a 32mile round trip through thick snow to Hairmyres Hospital, where Armstrong provided a negative Covid-19 test.

“She was charged with various offences and replied, ‘I don’t give a f***’.”

Armstrong is currently on a community payback order imposed at Airdrie Sheriff Court for assault.

In the latest case, Sheriff John Speir said: “What strikes me is how young she is to find herself facing these proceedings.

“There is a risk of a downward spiral without the appropriate monitoring and intervention, though there appears to have been no offending for 14 months.”

Sentence was deferred until September to examine ways in which Armstrong could be helped.