Cop bitten at Lindsay House during call out
PC left permanently disfigured after bite infection
MIKE MCQUAID
A police officer is scarred for life after being bitten when she attended a disturbance at an East Kilbride homeless hostel.
Scott Donnelly “sank his teeth into” PC Lorraine Fraser’s forearm as he fought with officers trying to arrest him.
Donnelly, 28, a prisoner, admitted assault to injury and permanent disfigurement when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.
He also admitted shouting racist abuse at a member of staff at Lindsay House and resisting arrest.
Two co-accused also pleaded guilty to charges arising from the disturbance.
William Thomson, 26, also a prisoner, admitted two charges of abusive or threatening behaviour while Natasha Wallace, 18, of Clydesdale Avenue, Hamilton, admitted grabbing a phone from a member of staff and hurling abuse and threats at police officers.
The incidents happened on the evening of June 11.
Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said Thomson and Wallace were Lindsay House residents at the time. They were caught trying to smuggle Donnelly into the Kittoch Street complex via a fire door.
Thomson also had a bottle of alcohol, which was against house rules, and started shouting abuse at a member of staff.
He was escorted from the building, but produced a plastic key card, held it against his throat and threatened to kill himself.
He also struck himself over the head several times with the bottle and said he wanted to go to hospital.
Staff were worried for him and called for an ambulance.
The police were also contacted at this time, but Mr Thomson stressed this was purely out of concern for Thomson’s welfare.
Officers arrived and found the accused across the road from Lindsay House.
Mr Thomson told the court: “All three were aggressive towards the two officers.
“PC Fraser took hold of Donnelly and said he was under arrest, but he tried to punch her and a violent struggle ensued.
“She pressed the emergency button on her personal radio for assistance then withdrew her baton and struck Donnelly several times on the leg.
“He fell and grabbed the officer, causing her trousers to rip from the waist to the knee.
“She fell too and Donnelly continued to struggle violently with her and her colleague PC Ross Glasgow.
“The accused then literally sank his teeth into PC Fraser’s forearm while Thomson and Wallace were shouting abuse and threats at the officers.
“Wallace threw a tub of sauce from a takeaway meal at them.
“Eventually more police officers arrived and all three accused were arrested.”
Mr Thomson said PC Fraser had a “pronounced bite mark” and was in “extreme pain”.
He added: “Within a few days an infection set in and the bite became ulcerated. She required further treatment and the bite has left a scar.”
Sheriff Morag Shankland deferred sentence until October 25.
Donnelly and Thomson were remanded in custody while Wallace had her bail continued.