Inverness man distances himself from 'negative peer group' after police assault

A 22-year-old Inverness man with a poor record of offending punched a parked car and it was filmed on CCTV.

When a local resident in Bridgeview Drive, Inverness reported the incident to police, the footage was viewed and it led to the arrest of Lee Drummond, who lived nearby in Craigton Avenue,

However, when police went to his home in the early hours of October 23, last year, the officers noticed a laceration on Drummond's body and offered medical attention, Inverness Sheriff Court heard.

Fiscal depute Karen Poke told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald: "At this point, he kicked one of the constables on the thigh. He was put to the ground but he attempted to spit on him. He continued to try and spit and a spit hood had to be applied."

Drummond admitted a charge of vandalism and police assault.

Defence solicitor Rory Gowans said: "He has an unenviable record for someone who is only 22 years of age. But he seems to have collapsed and struck his head so he may have been concussed.

"He is now in full-time employment and has left the area to distance himself from what could be called a negative peer group. He went to Newcatsle and didn't get into trouble.

"There seems to be a developing maturity in him."

Drummond was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and placed under a year's social work supervision.