Raging Audi driver who hit wall spat at police shouting: ‘I have Covid’

Aman spat at three police officers while claiming to have Covid-19 and threatened to “dig up and rape” one constable’s dead grandmother.

Steven Gow flew into a rage when police approached him after his car crashed into a wall on the A824 near Auchterarder.

Gow, who has a history of public disorder and violence, later threatened to murder police officers and bit one on the hand.

He shouted anti-Catholic slogans, before singing verses of the banned loyalist anthem Billy Boys.

The 26-year-old was locked up at Perth Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to eight charges, including a count of careless driving and three police assaults.

Fiscal depute Michael Sweeney said the series of events began on August 12 last year.

“At around 9.25am, a witness observed the accused crash his Audi into a stone wall on the A824,” he said.

“He described the car as flying through the air.

“The accused was seen exiting the vehicle and picking up damaged parts, before getting back in and driving off.”

Constables Robert Southern, Alistair Bloomer and Victoria Taylor went to Airth Park, where Gow’s car was last seen.

“PC Bloomer took hold of him and told him they suspected him of driving while under the influence,” Mr Sweeney said.

“The accused began to pull away and was then put on to the floor.

“The accused kicked out as he was on the ground, connecting his kicks with PC Taylor’s upper body and PC Southern’s right hand and face.

“He was placed in leg straps. At this point, he spat towards officers shouting: ‘I have Covid’.”

Mr Sweeney added: “The accused made further threats towards officers but in particular, he told one officer that he would kill and rape the officer’s dead grandmother. He went on to say he would dig the constable’s grandmother up and rape her.”

Gow was taken to Ninewells Hospital to check for injuries.

After treatment, he kicked PC Bloomer and threatened to murder him in a “square go”.

At police HQ in Dundee, Gow spat in the officer’s face. He also spat into the eye of police constable Danielle McGinley.

In a second incident in the early hours of September 21, police received two 999 calls from the accused, claiming he had been assaulted on Strathtay Road, Perth, and that someone had a knife.

Constables Evan Macdonald and Conor Stewart were deployed.

Mr Sweeney said: “The accused was loitering near the officers, with both his hands concealed within his trouser waistband.

“They approached the accused and told him he would be subject to a search.

“He immediately became verbally abusive and loud.”

Gow threatened to find out where the officers lived and would slit their throats.

“He made various racial remarks, and described the constables as Fenian b ****** s. He shouted ‘f*** the Pope’ and then loudly sang the song Billy Boys.”

Later in custody, Gow was placed on the ground after spitting on PC Macdonald.

From the floor, he lunged forward and bit the officer on the left hand.

Solicitor David Holmes said: “He has done his best to address his problems. However, he does accept that he must be punished.”

Sheriff William Wood told Gow: “It may be that this matter is so serious that there is no alternative to a custodial sentence.”

Gow, of Colonsay Street, Perth, was remanded in custody until sentencing on October 11.

He was also handed an interim driving ban.

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE: Steven Gow was remanded in custody at Perth Sheriff Court after he admitted eight charges, including three assaults on police officers.