Man ‘wanted to spit’ on police officer’s face

“Officers warned him regarding his behaviour,” said the fiscal. “He challenged them to a stand-up fight.

“The police told him he was under arrest; he made off, was apprehended and placed in handcuffs.

“It was then when Johnston spat at the officer, striking him on the back of the neck.”

When cautioned and charged at Campbeltown Police Office, Johnston said: “I meant to spit on [the officer]; I wanted to spit on his face.”

Johnston also admitted driving without due care and attention in the early hours of June 4 2023 on Cross Street. 

The fiscal said that officers were there attending a separate incident when they heard an engine being “revved excessively” on nearby Main Street. Johnston then appeared on Cross Street on an off-road dirt bike.

“The bike collided with a stationary, marked police vehicle; he lost balance momentarily, quickly regained balance and drove off,” said the fiscal.

Police at the scene and pedestrians had to take evasive action, the fiscal added.

Sheriff Cameron told Johnston his conduct on both occasions was “completely disgraceful”.

He added: “You were 19 at the time, something I must take into account when sentencing.”

The sheriff called for reports to be prepared and the case will call again at the March sitting, when he will hear mitigation from the man’s lawyer.