Fife joiner butted officer after being caught in van with alcohol bottle

ACowdenbeath joiner headbutted a police officer after being found slumped over in his van with a lit cigarette in his mouth and a bottle of Buckfast between his legs.

Ross Scott previously pled guilty to both the assault and failing to provide specimens of breath for analysis when he was taken to Dunfermline police station.

The 35-year-old dad appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing.

The court heard he had been found by police in his vehicle, which was parked in a layby in Foulford Place, Cowdenbeath, after his expartner raised concerns he may have been drinkdriving on August 18 last year.

He had been living in the van for six months and had been at a family funeral earlier in the day.

Senior procurator fiscal depute Azrah Yousaf said: “Officers went up and noticed the accused slumped over the seat, keys in the ignition and the engine running and lit cigarette hanging out of his mouth, and a bottle of Buckfast between his legs.”

The court heard Scott gave a positive roadside specimen after he was woken by officers.

He was taken to the police station but refused to provide a breath specimen there.

After being placed in a cell he became aggressive and told officers he would headbutt anyone who tried to search him and fight anyone who came near him.

The fiscal depute said a custody officer tried to reassure him it was for his own safety but Scott lunged and headbutted one of the officers on the forehead.

He was taken to the ground and cuffed.

Ms Yousaf continued: “He (Scott) said he would track down their wives and do things they could only dream of.”

Defence lawyer Christopher Large said Scott realises the police should not have been subjected to violence, particularly in the course of their employment.

The solicitor said Scott, who had been living in his work van for six months at the time, advised there is a lever in the vehicle that allows him to release the clutch when in fifth gear to power an internal generator to use appliances within.

Mr Large also said his client had been at his stepsister’s funeral on the day of the offence.

The lawyer said a disqualification from driving would require him to close his joinery business for the duration of the ban.

Sheriff Charles Macnair banned Scott from driving for 13 months and fined him £450.

The sheriff also sentenced him to carry out 270 hours of unpaid work for the police assault.

Sheriff Macnair told Scott: “Police officers will not be assaulted with impunity.”