A Forfar teenager has been given a year-long exclusion order from a town pub after a sheriff said she had started her criminal career “in style” by spitting at a policeman.
Evanna Ferguson had been taken to Arbroath police station after assaulting a fellow drinker in Forfar’s Burns Bar before kicking out at a policeman.
The 19-year-old’s behaviour went from bad to worse as she was being taken to the cells, leading to an incident branded “disgusting” by Forfar sheriff Gregor Murray,
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said the victim of Ferguson’s first assault had been drinking with friends in the East High Street pub at around 10.30pm when the accused – who had been banned from the premises just the week before – walked up to her and said “What are you looking at?” before punching her on the face.
The woman sustained bruising and reddening to her face and was checked over by paramedics, but did not require medical treatment.
Police were called and although Ferguson had left the pub she was seen walking down the street and arrested.
In a police vehicle en route to Arbroath she was shouting at officers to protest her innocence, and as the rear cage of the van was opened she kicked out, hitting an officer on the thigh.
“At the charge bar she continued to shout and swear at officers. She was taken to a cell and then assaulted another officer by spitting on his face and body,” added the fiscal.
Ferguson, of North Street, Forfar admitted three charges relating to the February 24 incident and defence solicitor Brian Bell said she had tendered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.
“I don’t minimise the seriousness of the behaviour but what may save her from a custodial sentence is her young age,” he said, adding that the accused has a number of issues for which she is receiving support.
Sheriff Murray told Ferguson: “You are 19 and this is the first time you have been in a court. You have started in style.
“The first charge in terms of what we see in this court may be towards the lower end of the scale.
“However, to kick a police officer and then, worse, to spit on a police officer is disgusting.
“I would be entitled to send you to jail right now.
“On this occasion – just – you will not go to jail,” the sheriff told Ferguson.
He imposed a one year Community Payback Order on Ferguson, including 100 hours of unpaid work, and granted a Crown motion for a one-year exclusion order banning her from entering the Burns Bar.
