Drunk and freezing as he lay face down in December snow, a Perth man then assaulted a female police officer who came to his aid.
Frank Fair headbutted PC Lynsey Strachan on the face as she stooped to offer him assistance after he slipped and fell just yards from his home.
His attack left the police officer with severe swelling and bruising to her face that was still visible some weeks later.
Perth Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that the 33-year-old had a history of violent offending and had been heavily under the influence of alcohol at the time.
An apprehensive Fair was told this latest offence had left his liberty in severe jeopardy, given its seriousness and his “lengthy criminal record”.
To his obvious relief, however, Sheriff Michael Fletcher eventually spared him imprisonment although “with some considerable hesitation” after hearing that he was finally taking steps to address his problems with alcohol.
Solicitor David Holmes told the court his client “deeply regretted” his actions on December 19 last year, though Fair had initially denied carrying out the assault outside his Tulloch Terrace home and was only found guilty following a trial.
“He was outside his home, he was extremely intoxicated and it was very slippy,” the agent said. “When he was found by the officers he was lying in the snow and clearly that was not good for his health.
“The officers were coming to his assistance and the female officer was only attempting to help him up from the snow.’Ashamed'”He would be in a position to pay compensation to the officer and would be keen to pay as he is deeply ashamed of what he did.”
Mr Holmes urged the court to consider an alternative to imprisonment, pointing out that his client’s offending had subsided in recent years, with nothing by road traffic matters on his record since 2005.
“He has also sought help for his problems with alcohol because he recognised that this was necessary,” Mr Holmes added.
Sheriff Fletcher told the accused he had committed a serious offence and one that was particularly unwise given his previous criminal record, which included three previous convictions for assault.
“This kind of offence puts your liberty at very serious risk and there is no doubt that custody would be appropriate,” he told Fair. “However, I take into account that you are taking steps to deal with your drinking.
“It doesn’t take me to tell you what trouble drink is getting you into.”
He ordered Fair to carry out 240 hours of community service and also told him to pay £650 compensation to PC Strachan, in light of the damage she sustained to her face.