A Campbeltown man appeared at the town’s sheriff court via a video link from prison and was given a sentence of 15 months, back dated to July when he was taken into custody.
Paul Richmond, aged 37, pleaded guilty at the December sitting to threatening and abusive behaviour on July 11 at Campbeltown Police Station when he shouted, swore and uttered homophobic remarks towards an officer.
He also admitted offences on July 12 at the police station when he assaulted a constable by kicking her on the body; assaulting a police sergeant by seizing her by the hair, attempting to butt her to the head, attempting to spit at her and attempting to bite her on the body, and shouting swearing and uttering threats.
These incidents all took place while he was on bail granted on April 12 and June 2 from Greenock and Campbeltown sheriff courts respectively.
Richmond was also in breach of a community payback order.
Procurator fiscal depute Rebecca Reid said that the incidents happened when Richmond was being taken to the police station for another matter.
‘While at the charge bar the accused became aggressive,’ she said, adding that at one stage the officers managed to calm him but he became agitated and aggressive again and officers attempted to put a spit hood on him.’
His defence agent Edel McGinty said: ‘He accepts his behaviour was out of order.’
She added that her client felt that police had targeted him. He has had difficulties with substance misuse and had been in a ‘vicious circle’.
‘His family are supportive of him’ she said. ‘He feels he was the victim here.’
Sheriff Cameron said that he had read the reports and listened carefully and was ‘appalled by the level of violence against the police’.
‘There is no alternative other than custody,’ the sheriff said.
His sentence was a cumulative one of 15 months back dated to July 12.