A serving Royal Marine who kicked a policeman in the head after swearing and threatening officers in Dundee city centre has been warned he may face a jail sentence.
Derek Leslie, 26, who has two similar previous convictions, was banned from the city ahead of sentencing next month.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard that Leslie, of 45 Commando, Arbroath, had approached police officers, who were dealing with another matter, at around 3am and had started “shouting and bawling” at them.
Depute fiscal Jim Eodanable said: “He was told to go away but continued. He was cuffed and at that point the fight seemed to go out of him.
“He was led to the vehicle and for no real reason kicked out.”
Ian Flynn, defending, said: “He has two previous convictions from 2006 and 2011. He has very little recollection of what went on. He has been directed by his unit to alcohol counselling in Faslane.
“His unit will be looking closely at him. He may be placed on a warning or something even more serious.”
Leslie, c/o 45 Commando, RM Condor, Arbroath, admitted conducting himself in a disorderly manner by shouting, swearing, threatening police officers with violence, struggling with officers and refusing to desist and committing a breach of the peace at West Marketgait on October 3.
He also admitted assaulting PC Barry Shepherd by kicking him on the head and body on the same date.
Sheriff Richard Davidson told Leslie: “I see that this is the third occasion you have come before the court involving an incident with police officers.
“That suggests you have some problem with police officers and that troubles me. Given the training you are given, if you are a person who loses control under the influence of alcohol, then you could cause a great deal of damage.
“Given that this is the third time, I am not prepared to rule out the possibility of a custodial disposal.”
Sentence was deferred until November 27, with a bail condition that Leslie does not enter Dundee in the meantime.