Man made Covid threat to police

A Larkhall lout started spitting after he was arrested and warned police officers he would infect them with Covid-19.

Elliott Findlay told the officers:“enjoy your quarantine. I hope you die.”

Findlay, 24, of Speywynd, appeared from custody via videolink at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.

He admitted culpable and reckless conduct by spitting on windows and upholstery of a police vehicle after telling the police he had coronavirus. Findlay also admitted shouting abuse and threats. The court heard he was already on bail when police had cause to arrest him in Hamilton Road, Larkhall, on August 12.

Mairi-clare Mcmillan, prosecuting, said Findlay’s behaviour“deteriorated”and he shouted:“i have Covid, ha, ha. Now you have Covid.”

The officers called colleagues for a cell van but before it arrived Findlay had started spitting.

He was eventually placed in the cell van and a spit hood was put over his head.

Findlay made further threats and vile comments when he was being processed at Motherwell police station.

Ms Mcmillan added:“he denied having Covid and didn’t show any symptoms.

“The four police officers involved didn’t report any problems in relation to the virus.”

Defence agent Ian Scott admitted such conduct “causes great anxiety to all those involved”.

He told the court:“there is a mental health background.

“My client has a criminal record and there is a tendency to have outbursts, but generally he takes out his anxiety and frustration on his nearest and dearest.”

Sheriff Alasdair Macfadyen called for a criminal justice social work report and deferred sentence until December 11. Findlay, who has been in custody since his arrest, remains behind bars.