A man who threatened to blow up an Aberdeen flat block has been spared a jail sentence.
Wojciech Samp also said he wanted to set the six-storey temporary accommodation facility ablaze while council workers were inside.
He made the threats to a security officer outside the property on West North Street on December 30.
Later that day, he tried to butt a police officer then bite him on the wrist.
Samp, 35, admitted the charges at Aberdeen Sheriff Court the following morning – with the latter aspect representing his fourth conviction for assaulting emergency services staff in as many years.
He returned to the dock yesterday to be sentenced.
Fiscal depute Lynzi Souter said: “At 9pm the witnesses were on duty and were made aware that the accused was causing a disturbance.
“They made attempts to get him to calm down, however he squared up to the complainer and shouted and swore directly in his face.
“The accused was heard shouting he was going to set fire to the building with the security guard on it.
“He was then heard to shout that he was going to break down the internal doors and blow up the building.”
Samp was arrested and taken to Kittybrewster police station, where he attempted to butt a police officer.
He then bit the man on the wrist, but did not injure the officer.
Samp’s solicitor, Andrew Ormiston, said his client had “clear difficulties” with alcohol which required addressing.
Sheriff William Summers said he had given “careful and anxious” consideration about whether or not to impose a jail sentence.
He said the fact the bite did not cause any injury was the determining factor in his decision.
“If it had,” Sheriff Summers said, “I would have unhesitatingly imposed a lengthy custodial sentence.”
He added: “These are serious charges.
“The first involved making threats to burn down a building, the second involved an assault on a police officer.
“Officers should be able to go about their business without being subject to that sort of abuse.
“It is of some concern that this is your fourth conviction for assaulting a police officer in the course of the last four years.”
Samp, whose address was listed as care of his solicitor, was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.
He will also spend 18 months under the supervision of social workers.
A city council spokesman said: “The safety of our staff is of the utmost importance.
“We continually looks at ways in which we can minimise the risk to staff and ensure that they are supported and protected.”
