Kyle of Lochalsh man who spat at police promises Inverness Sheriff Court he will go to rehab
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Last month, Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald deferred sentence on Cornelius Stevenson (34) because she was concerned about his behaviour.
Offences committed in Broadford and at Burnett Road police station, Inverness on May 23 last year came shortly after he had been released from prison for a similar spitting offence and Sheriff Macdonald wanted to know her options to try and stop him "creating havoc for himself and the community."
This week she placed Stevenson under supervision for two years with a review due on April 25 to see if he stuck to his vow and co-operated with social workers.
She told him: “These are serious and appalling offences which could easily merit a lengthy jail sentence.
"But I also have to consider if there is a prospect of rehabilitation.
"I want you to stop behaving like this and society wants you to stop, so I am prepared to give you a chance to change your life and stop creating havoc in your community and your life.”
Defence solicitor Roger Webb told the court: "He has taken it upon himself to seek rehabilitation. He is not getting a free ride.
"He intends to stay with his sister who says he is more ready than ever before to make changes in his life. She has successfully been through the same rehabilitation programme.
"He says he wants to be the dad he should be and says he used to laugh at people in rehab. He now realises that they had their head screwed on."
Stevenson appeared previously at Inverness Sheriff Court and admitted six charges: theft of a car, failing to provide details to police, refusing to give a blood sample on suspicion of drug-driving, and three assaults, including the two involving spitting.
Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood said Stevenson had been involved in a road accident in a stolen car.
“He appeared to be heavily under the influence and spat at a police constable which landed in his eye,” she said.
He also managed to free one hand from handcuffs and bit an officer on the hand.
He later spat at officers in a cell and refused to provide a blood sample.
