A machete wielding thug smashed the window of a police car, showering the driver with broken glass, a court heard
Gerald McFarlane approached PC David Crighton in the Deans area of Livingston, West Lothian, Livingston Sheriff Court was told.
He shouted and swore at the officer before repeatedly battering the driver’s side window of the police car, causing it to smash.
McFarlane then attacked PC Crighton, who was engulfed in shards of broken glass, and tried to strike him with the machete, narrowly missing the officer.
McFarlane pled guilty on indictment to assaulting the constable to the danger of his life during the incident on 18 February this year.
He also pled guilty to assaulting, obstructing or hindering NHS emergency service worker at the medical admissions unit of St John’s Hospital in Livingston on 19 February.
The charge states that he kicked nurse Claire Davidson on the back.
Miral Jaber, prosecuting, moved for sentence and presented the court with a list of McFarlane’s previous convictions.
Ian Smith, defending admitted: “My client does have prior history.
“He accepts that charge two remains a serious charge and suspects that there’s a possibility of a custodial sentence so I’m not moving for bail at this time.
“At this stage, given what the charges are and given that bail was refused from a higher court, Mr McFarlane will accept waiting in custody.
“Reports may present matters in a more reasonable light.”
Sheriff Peter Hammond called for a criminal justice social work report into McFarlane’s background and an assessment of his suitability to be electronically tagged under a restriction of liberty order.
He adjourned the case until 25 June and remanded the accused in custody meantime.
