A man verbally abused a police constable at Appleby horse fair and then spat on another when taken into custody.
Details of Scott Graham’s criminal conduct in the town’s Sands area emerged at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Prosecutor Peter Kelly said it was 9th June when the officer was working in the area of The Grapes pub. Also present was 35-year-old Graham, who was known to the officer from his time working in South Cumbria.
Graham approached the officer and delivered a volley of crude verbal abuse, the court heard.
“There wasn’t any reason for that behaviour,” said Mr Kelly. “The defendant was intoxicated and is described as going into the officer’s personal space.”
Graham was given a formal dispersal order document directing him to leave the area for a period of time to prevent further trouble. “It seems the defendant refused to accept it, and ripped it up. He continued to be disruptive and was arrested by police,” said Mr Kelly.
Graham later spat at another officer and was abusive to colleagues. The officer spat on by Graham had said in a statement that he expected a level of aggression in the role, but that he worked to help the public.
Officers did not expect to be assaulted or spat at, he said, adding: “It is absolutely disgusting.”
Defence solicitor Jeff Smith asked for a pre-sentence report. “Scott Graham tells me he is someone who suffers from some significant mental health problems,” said Mr Smith, who accepted the offending was “unpleasant” and added: “Spitting at police officers can never be condoned.”
A pre-sentence report was ordered, and Graham, of no fixed address, is due to receive his punishment on 3rd October.
He was told that custody could be considered.
