A 31-year-old man accused of spraying a “noxious substance” in a lift, causing the evacuation of the Jobcentre Plus in Dundee, has appeared in court.
Andrew Perrie, of Happyhillock Walk, was remanded in custody after a short hearing in private at the city’s sheriff court on Wednesday.
Perrie faces a charge that he culpably and recklessly sprayed an unknown noxious substance in a publicly used elevator at the Job Centre, Wellgate Centre, on Tuesday.
Prosecutors allege this caused members of the public to take ill and require urgent medical assistance as well as causing a full building evacuation and the emergency services to be deployed.
Perrie made no plea or declaration during a brief private appearance before Sheriff Tom Hughes.
Sheriff Hughes remanded Perrie in custody and continued the case for further examination. The case is expected to call again next week.
Managers at the Job Centre ordered everyone to leave the premises at lunchtime on Tuesday after visitors reported feeling unwell and had difficulty breathing.
Dozens of police, fire and ambulance staff arrived on the scene and began to deal with the casualties and trace the source of the alleged contamination.
The closure caused widespread congestion in neighbouring streets.
The Job Centre was given the all-clear at 5.30pm after firefighters had completed their checks.