Peebles teenager awaits sentence for biting police officer

Ally McGilvray • Published 18 Sep 2012 15:43

A 19-YEAR-OLD man has admitted biting a police officer after he came to his rescue. And then lashed out at hospital staff who went to his aid.

Ryan Gray was found covered in blood and slumped on the livingroom floor of his home in Connor Street, Peebles, after allegedly being attacked shortly after midnight on November 26 last year.

However, when police went to his assistance, he struggled violently with them - biting one constable on the thumb and arm.

Peebles Sheriff Court heard it took five police officers to restrain the teenager who had to be handcuffed and put in leg restraints before he could be taken to Borders General Hospital near Melrose for treatment to cuts to his face.

However, he continued to behave in a threatening and abusive manner in the accident and emergency unit - shouting and swearing, and using abusive and offensive language towards staff - and a hospital security guard was called to help.

Tessa Bradley, prosecuting, said: "It was repeatedly stated to him that he was disturbing other patients but he paid no notice. A nurse tried to get him to calm down but he told her to f*** off."

Gray admitted assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest when he appeared for trial at Peebles Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

He also pled guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and struggling with security staff at Borders General Hospital near Melrose.

The teenager was also charged with throwing a glass at another constable, and trying to headbutt him, but he pled not guilty and that plea was accepted by the court.

Gray's solicitor James Stewart blamed alcohol for his client's behaviour. But he pointed out he has enrolled on a civil engineering course at college and was trying to turn his life around.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond warned Gray his behaviour would not be tolerated and deferred sentence for a background report until October 3.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 18 Sep 12

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