Dingwall man who hurled homophobic abuse and spat at police

A man who shouted homophobic remarks at a police officer before spitting on two constables during a drunken incident has been put under supervision for 24 months.

Cornelius Stevenson (35) had been escorted by police from a property in Inverness's India Street on June 14 while intoxicated.

However he fell over on the city's Grant Street while being taken away, Inverness Sheriff Court heard.

While being helped up by the male officer he started shouting yelling homophobic abuse.

He was conveyed to Burnett Road police station where he was given medical attention.

However he spat at one officer and had to have a spit hood put on him, the court heard.

When he had it removed for further medical treatment he did the same again to another officer with the spittle landing on her the lens of her glasses.

Stevenson, of Gladstone Avenue, Dingwall, admitted threatening and abusive behaviour and two counts of assault when he appeared at the court on indictment.

Sheriff Sara Matheson imposed a community payback order with a supervision element of 24 months as a direct alternative to custody.