Dad’s shame at cop rammy in front of kids

Court hears assault on police was ‘out of character’

A yob who attacked and spat on a police officer after he was arrested at a shopping centre has been shown mercy by a sheriff.

Boozed-up Anthony McKay, 27, ended up being taken away by the cops in front of his children following a rammy that took place in the presence of shocked bystanders.

McKay was arrested following a disturbance which happened at the shopping centre in Main Street, Barrhead, on March 11 this year.

He appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court for sentencing after he was found guilty at trial of headbutting the officer and spitting on him after he was placed under arrest in the back of the police car.

The court had called for background reports in preparation for the disposal of the case.

Defence agent Chris McKenna said the young dad felt deeply ashamed at his conduct which was “completely out of character.”

He said: “He accepts he acted recklessly.

“He accepts he let himself down, his family down, and clearly has shown genuine remorse for his offence.

“He comes from a good family background. He is a good father with an excellent work ethic.

“The incident occurred when he was clearly under the influence of alcohol. He has no issue with drugs.

“There are no significant risk factors within this case.

“It was genuinely out of character.”

McKay of Divernia Way, Barrhead, pleaded guilty to charges of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm in that he shouted, swore, uttered threats of violence and behaved in an aggressive manner.

He also admitted a charge of assaulting a police officer by striking the cop on the body with his head and to spitting on him while he was in the rear of the police vehicle.

Sheriff David Pender said: “I can accept this does seem to be an incident which was out or character for you.

“You were placed in the police car in the presence of the children and it is likely this type of incident won’t happen again.

“I can deal with this offence by way of a fine.”

He fined McKay £ 500 and fixed repayment at £ 20 a week.