Inverness man told blood-covered police officer 'I hope you enjoy having Aids’ after trying to bite him on face at Raigmore Hospital
An injured Inverness man who subjected police to a tirade of foul language and racist abuse after they went to help him has been placed on a drug treatment and testing order.
Mark Macdonald (47), of Oldtown Road, was appearing for sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court after his case had been deferred for an assessment on whether he was suitable for such an order.
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Social workers decided he was and Sheriff Gary Aitken placed him on the 18-month programme with a progress review set for January 24.
Defence solicitor Rory Gowans told the court: "This is a big opportunity to sort himself out."
The sheriff then addressed Macdonald: "If you put the work in, it can make a huge difference but it is hard work. You know what will happen if you don't."
At a previous hearing, the sheriff was told that officers called an ambulance for Macdonald, who was nursing a head wound in Inverness High Street on July 16.
Fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh said he was asked to wait with officers, but responded by shouting, swearing and used the 'N' word a number of times towards the officers.
"The constables required him to desist as it was alarming members of the public and young children,” she said. “But he continued to shout and swear and was arrested.
"A knife was recovered from his backpack. He told them: 'It is for my own protection.' He was taken to Raigmore Hospital where he repeated racist slurs and said to officers: 'I hope you die' and 'Hail Hitler'.
"When being checked over by a doctor, he lunged at one constable and attempted to bite him on the face. He was taken to the ground and restrained.
"The police body armour was covered in blood and he said: 'I hope you enjoy having Aids’.”
Macdonald admitted threatening behaviour and possession of a knife in a public place without reasonable excuse.
