Inverness man who spat in the face of a police constable during coronavirus crisis faces a prison sentence

Inverness Sheriff Court heard a police officer was spat on after responding to an incident at a block of flats.

Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald decided against immediately sending Robin Munro to jail after hearing that he had health issues.

Defence solicitor Marc Dickson told Inverness Sheriff Court that his client was also a “vulnerable individual who was the recent subject of a guardianship”.

He added that Munro (36) had indicated “at the very first opportunity” that he wished to plead guilty to the charge of assault on April 18.

Sheriff Macdonald deferred sentence until June 30 for a background report.

But she warned Munro: “This does not mean that I won’t be imposing a jail sentence. This offence does merit one, but I want to know more about your issues before deciding.”

Fiscal depute David Morton told the court that officers had responded to a call about a disturbance in Munro’s block of flats at Mackintosh Road.

The fire alarm had also been activated.

“He was highly intoxicated and stated to officers that he had lost his keys and couldn’t get into his flat,” Mr Morton said. “Munro was arrested for a separate matter which is no longer being pursued and was being taken to the police van.

“In the rear, he spat in the face of one police officer with saliva making contact with his face. A spit hood was then placed on Munro.

“On entering the custody suite he continued with his aggressive behaviour. The police officer states that there was no mention of the current pandemic, but he was worried about his young and vulnerable family because of the potential infection of Covid-19.

“He was informed that Munro was not displaying any symptoms and we understand that has continued to be the case.”

There was no application for bail so Munro was remanded in custody.

Click here for more court news