A metal pole-wielding drunk who head-butted a motorist near an Inverness viewpoint later entered into a stand-off with police.
Police found Gavin Hampton intoxicated and standing in the water at Kessock Firth, moments after he’d broken the ankle of and headbutted a passing motorist.
Officers were called at 10.40am on November 2 last year after the 23-year-old was spotted wielding a metal pole by a motorist who then challenged him and was assaulted for his efforts.
Hampton was first seen walking down the middle of Kessock Road and at Kessock Point, shouting and swearing and challenging people to fight, Inverness Sheriff Court was told.
‘He was head-butted’
Fiscal depute Robert Weir said: “One motorist turned round at a roundabout to go back up Kessock Road and Hampton threw his mobile phone at it and struck it.
“The driver got out to challenge Hampton who had a metal pole but was head-butted. He fell to the ground and broke his ankle.”
Six police vehicles and an ambulance were called to the scene to deal with Hampton who had then entered the Kessock Firth to begin a short stand-off with officers.
He was talked out of the water, by officers but even then refused to curb his violent behaviour.
“As he was being led to the van, he prepared to spit towards officers and then coughed but was restrained,” the fiscal added.
Custodial sentence likely
Hampton, who is already subject to a supervision order, appeared from custody and admitted charges of threatening behaviour, assault to severe injury and culpable and reckless conduct.
His defence agent Rory Gowans said his client “knew what was coming” and that a custodial sentence was inevitable.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson deferred sentencing until March 21, to allow for background reports to be prepared.
Hampton was remanded in custody meantime at HMP Inverness.
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