An Angus man drove over a police officer’s foot when she attempted to fine him for illegal parking, a court has heard.
Shaun Carmichael from Montrose left his Audi on double yellow lines in the town’s John Street until an officer stopped to issue a fixed penalty notice on September 16.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the 22-year-old harangued PC Tracey Brown before attempting to drive off as she blocked his escape.
Fiscal depute Hannah Kennedy said PC Brown’s duties were to detect illegally-parked cars in the area.
“At 1.15pm, the officer saw a parked Audi that was left unattended on double yellow lines,” she added.
“She was in the process of writing up a fixed penalty notice, when the accused ran up to her.
“He said something like: ‘You’ll not be putting a ticket on this car’. The accused became very aggressive towards the constable.”
The PC positioned herself in front of the car at the driver’s side as Carmichael got into the driver’s seat.
He then “drove over the constable’s foot” before reversing but the officer gave no quarter.
“She positioned herself in front of the vehicle,” Ms Kennedy added.
“The accused is seen to be very agitated in the vehicle.”
Carmichael then ran off and officers traced him later that day.
Ms Kennedy said the officer was “very fortunate” to avoid injury and did not take any time off from her duties despite complaining of “pins and needles”.
Carmichael’s defence agent said the time-served painter and decorator “simply panicked”.
“He didn’t realise he had run over her foot and he is extremely sorry if that is the case,” she said.
“He had been the subject of an assault in late 2012, in which quite a portion of his ear had been bitten off.”
The court heard this had resulted in him being unable to handle confrontation.
Sheriff Gregor Murray sentenced Carmichael to complete 160 hours of unpaid work over the next year, as a direct alternative to custody.
The sheriff said: “It seems to me that you’ve got some growing up to do, notwithstanding the issues related to the previous assault.”
Carmichael, of High Street, admitted causing a breach of the peace in that he repeatedly shouted and acted in an aggressive manner at PC Brown.
He also admitted failing to stop when instructed to by a uniformed officer at the same place and time.
Not guilty pleas to reckless driving, perverting the course of justice and driving without insurance were accepted by the Crown.