Drunk man repaid police ‘taxi’ offer by punching PC

POLICE OFFICERS offered a wayward drunk a lift home, only to be assaulted from the back of their vehicle as they drove down the A9 in Perthshire.

ShaunWilson had caused a disturbance at the Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry but, concerned for his safety given his extreme level of inebriation, the officers had taken pity on him.

Their generosity was repaid with a tirade of abuse and threats before he began to punch PC Malcolm Whyte on the head and body.

His colleague was forced to pull into a layby and haul the 21-year-old off his colleague before calling for back-up.

It eventually took four officers to restrain Wilson by the side of the road and he spat in the face of a second officer as he was being placed in the back of a police van.

Perth Sheriff Court said a “spit hood” had to be placed over his head before he could be safely ensconced in the vehicle and transported to a waiting cell.

Jailing Wilson for four months and 30 days, Sheriff Michael Fletcher told him there was no option but to impose a prison sentence, given his record for assaulting police officers.

“This was a very unwise assault as it took place while someone was driving on the A9,” added the sheriff.

“This could have put all sorts of people into danger.”

Wilson, of Buail Bhan, Pitlochry, admitted assaulting the two off icers on December 22 last year and behaving in a threatening and abusive manner.