Highland resident threatened police who told him to turn the music down

Police officers were threatened with violence when they attended at a property and told the occupant to turn his loud music down.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Ryan Simpson (26), then of Wades Circle, Inverness, appeared under the influence and he swore at them before telling them: "It is my house."

Fiscal depute Emily Hood said Simpson then hurled insults at the officers, threatening to break the jaw of one as well as making other threats.

Simpson, now of Macrae Crescent, Dingwall, was arrested.

"While in the police van en route to Burnett Road police station on October 6 last year, he was spitting continuously and head-butting the wall of the vehicle.

"He also threatened to urinate and defecate in it."

Defence solicitor Graham Mann said his client had been diagnosed with a mental health condition for which he was prescribed medication, but he had not been taking it at the time of the offence.

Simpson admitted threatening or abusive behaviour.

Mr Mann added: "He is currently on supervised bail and is doing well. He also plans on taking an induction course for off-shore work which he has done successfully before.

"Considering his recent slow-down of offending, there may be an alternative to custody here. He is trying to get himself out of this type of offending."

Sheriff Sara Matheson deferred sentence until November 23 for a background report.

She told Simpson: "You are looking at a prison sentence here. You have been in and out of prison since 2017 but I will call for a report.

"What I am looking for is signs that you are growing up, getting on the right path and sorting yourself out."