Burst police officer’s lip

A young man burst a police officer’s lip – after being urged to let them get on with their job.

David Thirtle stumbled out of a Dalmellington pub at 1am, and found police responding to a “serious” incident.

A n d w h i l e t h e investigation didn’t concern Thirtle, he refused to listen to advice from officers to move on.

Defence lawyer John Gallagher said: “He wasn’t involved in the initial incident and was oblivious to that when he left the pub.

“His recollection, which was sketchy to say the least, is that he thought he was talking to a police officer who he was having a laugh and a joke with.”

Thirtle was sentenced to a community payback order with 12 months of supervision, including 120 hours of unpaid work to be completed in nine months.

Sheriff Mhairi Mactaggart said: “These offences are serious enough to merit a custodial sentence, I want you to remember that.”