A drunken thug strangled a cop with the cable from his police radio during a “ferocious” attack which left two officers in hospital.
Ryan McCormack was lying near an Edinburgh pub saying he was a “dead man” when a pair of officers came to his aid.
After helping McCormack to his feet, he lashed out and wrapped a radio earpiece cable around PC Callum Turnbull’s neck.
Six officers were needed to restrain the 25-year-old, who was unable to appear in court the next day due to his intoxicated state.
McCormack appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday and admitted assaulting PC Turnbull and colleague PC Hayley Duncanson, who suffered muscle and soft tissue damage to her back, shoulder and wrists.
Fiscal depute Nicole Lavelle said the incident happened in the city’s George Street at about 1.30am last November 13.
The court heard that McCormack got so drunk in the Standing Order pub with his brother that he vomited.
During his attack on PC Turnbull, the cable snapped free from the radio due to the “strength” McCormack exerted.
Ms Lavelle said the attack was so “ferocious” neither officer could radio for help, but the CCTV operator alerted additional cops.
Sheriff John Mundy deferred sentence on McCormack, of Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, until next month for reports and continued his bail.
