Birthday girl barney

Admits scratching officer

A woman who marked her birthday celebrations by scratching a police officer – causing him to bleed – has been dealt with in court.

Lorna Shearon admitted resisting, obstructing or hindering two constables before struggling violently and scratching one of them on the hands and wrist, to their injury.

The unsavoury incident took place at Shearon’s previous home, on Buchanan Street in Balfron, on May 28.

She admitted her guilt during an appearance at Stirling Sheriff Court this week.

The court heard on Tuesday morning how the accused, who now lives in Woodside Road in Raploch, was celebrating her 44th birthday on the day of the offence.

Fiscal depute Lindsey Brooks explained that police were making enquiries about a disturbance when they knocked on Shearon’s front door.

Ms Brooks said: “They spoke to the accused in her home and, as a result of her behaviour, she was arrested.”

While attempting to control Shearon one of the officers was scratched on the hand and wrist – and this resulted in blood being drawn.

Defence solicitor Stephen Maguire explained that the birthday girl had enjoyed a drink on the evening in question and, mixed with medication she had taken, this may have caused a reaction.

He said: “This happened on her 44th birthday and she has had some difficulty with her neighbours. She has since moved away.

“Police went to investigate. It was her birthday and she’d had a drink. There was perhaps a reaction with the medication she had been taking.

“She ended up bent over a couch and in pain. She reacted and scratched the officer.”

Mr Maguire added: “The background is that there have been difficulties with a downstairs neighbour.

“She has now moved away and is delighted to be back in Stirling. This is clearly a more serious matter as it involved an injury to a police officer. She is able to do unpaid work.”

Sheriff James MacDonald said: “I’ve taken account of everything your solicitor has said.”

He added: “This was a chapter which appears, hopefully, to have come to an end as you have moved away from Balfron.”

Shearon was ordered to undertake 50 hours of unpaid community work in the next three months.