A man has been cleared of spitting at a police officer after claiming the 'accident' was down to lost teeth.
Gary Platt could have been jailed had a jury convicted him of what the prosecution described as a serious attack on a key worker during the COVID pandemic.
But he claimed that he sometimes has problems speaking, particularly when intoxicated, because of missing teeth.
This meant spittle could leave his mouth without him intending it.
Platt, 56, of Whitshawgate Farm, Strathaven, was accused of assaulting PC Jamie McDade at Motherwell police station on July 27 last year.
A jury found him not guilty after trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
CCTV footage showed Platt sitting next to PC McDade and another officer at the police station.
They were chatting and Platt could be seen gesturing with his head at PC McDade. He was then heard to say sorry and seen wiping his mouth.
Shortly after this he leaned towards the officer again and a noise could be heard from his mouth before the officers grabbed him and restrained him.
PC McDade claimed Platt "blew" at him and spittle landed on his face.
But Platt insisted what he did was accidental.
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