An Inverness drug dealer who coughed in the faces of five police officers at the height of the coronavirus crisis has been jailed for 15 months.
Adam Scott was taken to the city’s police station after being spotted by officers swaying near Gilbert Street.
When they searched him, he began to “struggle violently” and after being put to the ground, swallowed a white wrap from his pocket.
Fiscal depute Robert Weir told the court: “After a hospital check that he was alright, he was taken to the custody suite where he again had to be put to the ground. He purposely coughed towards the officers, and a spit hood and restraints had to be applied.”
Scott, who did not have Covid-19, admitted obstructing a police drugs search and reckless conduct.
His defence solicitor Graham Mann said his client’s cough had been “involuntary” but accepted he did not try to avoid the officers.
Scott, listed as a prisoner at HMP Inverness, had been released on licence just days before the April 19 offence.
