Thug spat in an officer’s face

A yob spat in the face of a female police officer after he was arrested outside his Hamilton home.

Serial offender Christopher Conner had hurled abuse at the officers as he walked topless down the street.

Conner, 25, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour in Hill Street, Hamilton, on May 26 and police assault.

Jennifer Mclaren, prosecuting, said he was arrested after the officers saw him walking down the street, topless and making“extremely derogatory”remarks, including comments of a sexual nature, towards them.

Conner also warned the officers:“i know where you and your families live.”

Ms Mclaren added:“he said they should watch out the next time he met them. He then spat at one of the officers, making contact with her face and upper torso.”

The fiscal said the police had gone to Conner’s home at 7.45pm after an anonymous call about an“ongoing disturbance”there.

When they arrived the accused let them in. There was no sign of a disturbance.

The officers went to deal with another incident in the same street and were then confronted by Conner.

Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said Conner felt aggrieved because there had been a disturbance involving other people and he“perceived himself to be the victim”.

Mr Bruce added:“he was intoxicated and wasn’t thinking clearly. He accepts his behaviour towards the officers was disgusting.

“He has a troubled background, which includes significant childhood trauma, and is highly strung.”

Conner was the subject of four bail orders at the time of the offences and has been in custody since his arrest.

Sheriff Thomas Millar said:“he has 23 previous convictions, 10 of which are for assault.

“I’m concerned about the potential risk of serious harm to the public if he is released into the community without supervision. That risk will have to be assessed.”

Sentence at Hamilton Sheriff Court (pictured) was deferred until next month for a criminal justice social work report and Conner was remanded in custody.