Elgin man admits assaulting and spitting blood at police officers after getting kicked out of Elgin pub
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THREE police officers were the target for an Elgin man who repeatedly spat blood on them after he was thrown out of a high street pub.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told that Samuel Bliss (28), of Victoria Crescent, was injured as he was restrained to the ground after punching a constable in the face in the early hours of April 17.
Without hearing from defence solicitor Iain Maltman, Sheriff Sara Matheson called for a background report and a restriction of liberty order assessment. Sentence was deferred on Bliss until November 14 and his bail was continued.
Bliss admitted three charges of assaulting two constables and a sergeant, and threatening behaviour in a police van where he repeatedly spat.
Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told the court that the police received a call for assistance in ejecting Bliss from Badenoch's Bar at about 1.10am.
"He was initially compliant and left but returned a short time later," she said. "He was requested to leave but became aggressive and obstructive. He then punched a constable to the face.
"The constable used an officer safety training technique and struck him with an empty hand before restraining him to the ground, causing a laceration to his (Bliss's) face."
While being handcuffed, Bliss began spitting blood at the two officers with it landing on their head and body, Ms Eastwood went on.
He continued to spit in the police van as he was taken to Dr Gray's Hospital but he refused treatment and the police carried on towards Burnett Road Police Station in Inverness, Ms Eastwood added.
"He repeatedly stated he had hepatitis and threatened to spit on anyone who opened the van," she added.
"En route to the police station, the van had to stop due to his suspicious behaviour in the back and a Sergeant opened the door.
"Bliss turned his head as if to spit and as an attempt was made to apply a spit hood, he began spitting blood again, landing on the Sergeant's vest and trousers.
"He made repeated threats to kill the officers saying: 'I want to kill him and him' and 'How would you like to die.'"
