A prisoner who spat at a police officer has been jailed for 10 months.
Graeme Kenmuir had been arrested for approaching his ex-partner in defiance of a court order.
Kenmuir, 31, of Draffen Tower, Motherwell, was sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
He admitted breaching a non-harassment order and spitting on PC Douglas Murray.
His behaviour in a cell at Motherwell police station was “vile and repulsive”, his solicitor admitted.
The offences happened on September 29.
The court heard Kenmuir and Claire Kane had a child together, but the relationship ended and he was served with a one-year non-harassment order.
Kenmuir spotted Ms Kane in Brandon Parade South, started shouting and followed her into a nail salon.
Neil Thomson, prosecuting, told the court: “There was an exchange of words before Kenmuir backed away, leaving Ms Kane there.
“She reported the incident and the accused was taken into custody at Motherwell police station. He was being switched from one cell to another when he spat directly at
PC Murray, the spittle landing on his face mask.”
Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said it had been a “chance meeting” in the street with his former partner.
Kenmuir was upset over being denied access to a child. He had taken alcohol and valium that day.
Of the police assault, Mr Bruce said: “Spitting, especially in the current climate, is vile and repulsive, and it’s fortunate the spittle hit the officer's mask.
“He’s sorry for behaving in this way.”
Sheriff Douglas Brown told Kenmuir: “Deliberately spitting in a police officer’s face during the current pandemic is such a serious offence that a severe sentence is inevitable.”
The sheriff jailed him for another four months for the non-harassment order breach, making 14 months in total.
He added: “Such an order is imposed only when it is considered necessary for the protection of the person concerned.
“The court must take a serious view of a deliberate breach.”
The sentence was backdated to September 30 as Kenmuir has been in custody since then
