Offender kicked officer

A disqualified driver got behind the wheel of his van after his wife had gone for help to get the vehicle started.

But 39-year-old John Stewart of The Pines, Coxton, Elgin, managed to get assistance from local workmen at Inverness’s Longman Industrial Estate and decided to drive.

However Inverness Sheriff Court was told there was a minor collision involving the Ford Transit and the police were called.

When officers traced Stewart later on April 3 this year, he had been drinking and taken to Raigmore Hospital.

Fiscal depute Ross Carvel said that as police tried to apply handcuffs, he lashed out, trying to headbutt an officer. He then kicked the same officer on the head.

Stewart admitted driving while disqualified, with no insurance and police assault.

He was jailed for 108 days and banned from driving for a year.