Man accused of pushing police officer on to A90

Allegation that incident in layby led to PC being thrust in front of rush-hour traffic

A man appeared in court yesterday accused of pushing a policeman into the path of rush-hour traffic on a busy dual carriageway.

James McVey is alleged to have attacked PC Kevin Steele during an incident in a layby on the A90 Dundee to Aberdeen road near Tealing.

McVey is first alleged to have shouted, sworn, acted aggressively and ran himself into the path of oncoming traffic on the dual carriageway and committed a breach of the peace.

He is then said to have resisted arrest by six officers, lashed out with his arms and legs, attempted to break free and attempted to prevent them from placing handcuffs on him.

Prosecutors say McVey then assaulted PC Steele “to his injury and the danger of his life”.

It is alleged he struggled with the officer, punched him on the head, placed him in a headlock and pushed him on to a dual carriageway into the path of oncoming traffic.

McVey is then alleged to have assaulted PC David Gray by punching him on the body.

McVey also faces a further two police assault charges over the alleged incident.

McVey, 46, of Waterson Road, Careston, Angus, faced a total of six charges on petition at Forfar Sheriff Court.

He made no plea or declaration during the brief private hearing and the case against him was continued for further examination.

McVey was remanded in custody and is due back in court next week.

A spokesman for Police Scotland’s Tayside Division said: “Police Scotland can confirm that a 46-year-old man was arrested and charged with a total of eight offences following an incident at a layby on the A90 near Tealing shortly before 6pm on Friday September 1.

“He was kept in custody and was due to appear at Forfar Sheriff Court on Monday September 4.”