Drunk lashed out at police officer

Police went to assist a drunken Perth man, found lying at the side of the road in broad daylight on a city housing estate.

But as 30-year-old Andrew Kerr was helped to his feet, he responded by lashing out and punching the officer on the body.

The accused caused more problems and ended back on the ground as he was restrained, Perth Sheriff Court was told.

And as he was taken in a van to Perth Police HQ, he challenged another officer to fight and repeatedly booted the cell cage.

Kerr, who was staying in Newhouse Road at the time, was previously spared jail and a community payback order was imposed.

But solicitor David Holmes told the court this week that the 18-month supervision order had been breached and the accused was currently serving a prison sentence.

“His current release date is still April 6,”explained the lawyer.

Sheriff Neil Bowie revoked the original order, imposed on July 24, 2019.

A fresh 18-month order, which will involve Kerr receiving alcohol treatment, was imposed on Wednesday.

Kerr admitted assaulting PC Craig Smith in Firbank Road on June 22, 2019, and then acting aggressively towards him and colleague PC George Wilkie as he was transported to the Barrack Street police HQ by repeatedly kicking the cell within the van and challenging them both to fight.

Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney said the ambulance service had alerted police after seeing the accused lying in the street at 3.45pm.

As officers helped him up, he“suddenly turned to his left and punched PC Smith”.

On the journey to

Barrack Street, Kerr asked PC Wilkie“for a fight”and was also kicking the metal cage inside the police van.

Kerr, who admitted 10 pages of previous convictions, was told by Sheriff Bowie:“If you fail to comply with the latest order, you will be brought back to court and dealt with accordingly.”

Mr Holmes said the accused would be stay in Newburgh, on his release.