A rowdy who claimed to have Covid-19 coughed and spat at police officers, saying “Ha, ha. Now you’re all infected.”
James Moody was being arrested for threatening his partner at her home in Strachan Street, Bellshill.
Jennifer McLaren, prosecuting, said he was “extremely aggressive” when he arrived there in the early hours.
He warned Joanne Leggaat: “In 20 minutes I’m going to torch your car.”
Moody, 33, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted threatening or abusive behaviour while already on bail.
He also admitted culpable and reckless conduct that put police officers at risk of coronavirus infection.
Officers were called to the flat at 3am on August 9.
Ms Leggat had told the 999 call handler she was terrified and when officers arrived she was “shaking with fear”.
Ms McLaren told the court: “As he was being taken away, Moody called his partner a grass.
“He then became abusive towards police officers before coughing heavily at them and spitting.”
Defence agent Stephen MacBride produced a letter from Ms Leggat that claimed Moody’s behaviour was “completely bizarre and out of character”.
The solicitor added: “He suspects his drink was spiked. He has very little recollection of the incident.”
Sheriff Linda Nicolson deferred sentence until later this month for a criminal justice social work report and electronic tagging assessment.
Moody was remanded in custody.
