Nairn man 'in a frenzy' headbutted police officer

A 34-year-old Nairn man who headbutted and spat in the face of a police officer avoided a jail sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court.

Groundworker Jamie Reid was instead ordered to carry out 210 hours of unpaid work and remain under social work supervision.

Defence solicitor David Patterson had argued that custody need not be imposed for the assault on July 14 last year.

He told Sheriff Sara Matheson, who read a social work background report before considering sentence: "He is no stranger to the court which can be attributed to a poor childhood. He turned to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism.

"But as the court knows, this is not a quick fix. He accepts his conduct was wholly unacceptable and the officer did not deserve to be treated this way.

"The assault was committed when he was in a frenzy. But he is sober now having come back from one of the lowest points in his life."

Sheriff Matheson told Reid: "Because of your appalling conduct, the threshold for custody has been met. But because of the efforts you have made on your own behalf I can deal with it by a community payback order."

The court heard that officers had been sent to Reid's flat in Bridge Street for a welfare check.

But fiscal depute Robert Weir told Sheriff Gary Aitken at an earlier hearing that Reid was drunk and became aggressive.

After spitting on the constable, Reid then headbutted the same officer, striking him just under his left eye, Mr Weir said.

Reid admitted police assault.