A policeman lost his memory for six months after a thug headbutted him in the street, a court has heard.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that the constable has been signed off work twice since the assault on Mayfield Road, Inverness, on September 25 last year and is still on light duties.
Thomas Stewart, 27, appeared in the dock and pleaded guilty to assaulting the officer to his injury and permanent impairment.
Stewart also admitted repeatedly punching and injuring a taxi driver prior to attacking the policeman.
Policeman ‘was off work for a month’
Fiscal depute David Morton told the court that the taxi driver had stopped at the junction of Culduthel Road and Old Edinburgh Road because Stewart was standing in the middle of the road, shouting at another car.
The court heard that Stewart turned his attention to the cab when the other vehicle drove around him.
“He opened the door and repeatedly punched the driver in the face. He then grabbed his jacket and threw it on the ground,” Mr Morton said.
“The driver had swelling to his right eye and a cut nose.
“He suffered from blurred vision and floaters in his eyes, and because it was unsafe for him to drive, he was off work for a month.”
Police were called and Stewart was found nearby on Mayfield Road.
Pepper spray had to be deployed on accused
Mr Morton said: “Stewart was told he was under arrest but he pulled back and headbutted the constable who was able to call for assistance before falling to the ground semi-conscious.”
He added that Stewart was arrested after a PAVA incapacitant spray was deployed.
A CT scan of the injured officer’s head revealed a concussion, the after-effects of which are still felt to this day.
He also suffered six months of memory loss as a result.
“He returned to work in March this year but can’t recall his day-to-day life for six months after the assault,” Mr Morton said.
Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald deferred sentence on Stewart until next month.
His bail was continued by Sheriff Macdonald, who warned Stewart, of Druid Road, Inverness, that a prison sentence would be under consideration.
