A violent thug escaped police after brutally assaulting a stranger in Perth city centre – then offered passers-by a cash reward if they set upon his arresting officers.
Ross Cossans, once dubbed a “one-man crimewave,” had been out of jail for less than 24 hours when he attacked a man as he walked through the city’s St Catherine’s Road.
The 28-year-old was caught on camera shoving his victim into a bush and raining blows down on to his face.
After he was arrested, he broke free of police and fled on foot.
While being led back into custody, he shouted to people in the street: “I will give you £1,000 if you put these c***s in a headlock.”
Cossans was later rushed to hospital after telling police he had swallowed 12g of heroin.
At Perth Royal Infirmary, he made a series of vile threats such as: “I’ll get a gun and shoot every cop I see.”
The city’s sheriff court heard his behaviour was so unruly, a group of sick children had to be moved away for their own safety.
Chokehold assault
Cossans, listed as a prisoner at HMP Perth, appeared in the dock on Monday and admitted the assault in Perth on November 2, 2021.
The charge states that he “attempted to entice witnesses to assault police officers to assist his escape.”
He pleaded guilty to six further criminal charges, including behaving in a threatening and abusive manner at PRI and assaulting two police officers by spitting on them at Dundee HQ.
Cossans, formerly of Tullis Place, Aberdeen, was jailed for two years at the Granite City’s high court in 2020 for threatening to slit a puppy’s throat before hurling it across a room.
Fiscal depute Marie Lyons said Cossans was given early release from prison on November 1 – the day before the assault.
“The complainer, who does not know the accused, left his home address in Perth to attend at his sister’s house,” she said.
“Whilst he was walking, he became aware of someone shouting behind him.”
He heard a voice say: “You’ve dropped something.”
The fiscal depute said the man turned round and saw the accused with an older male.
“He described the accused as being friendly to begin with,” said Ms Lyons.
Cossans told the man: “I’m just out of prison. Do you know where I can get some weed?”
“The complainer responded politely and kept walking,” the prosecutor told the court.
“The accused then grabbed him and put him in a chokehold from behind.
“The complainer struggled to get free of the accused’s grasp and they both fell to the ground.”
Escaped on foot
The court heard a passing motorist witnessed the attack.
“She saw the accused push the complainer into a nearby bush, before repeatedly punching him to the head,” said Ms Lyons.
“She stopped her vehicle and beeped her horn. This caused both men to look over briefly, before the accused continued to rain down punches to the complainer’s head.”
The driver began filming, as Cossan’s victim cried out for help.
Eventually, Cossans walked away.
The court heard he was identified by police using the witness’s video and was arrested the following day.
Cossans was put in the back of a police van.
“It appeared he was attempting to tamper with his waistband,” said Ms Lyons.
“Detective Constables became concerned that the accused was attempting to remove a concealed item.”
The officers pulled over and went to the back of the van.
When they opened the doors, Cossans burst out and ran into nearby St John Street.
He was caught on Kirkgate after a short chase.
Whilst he was led back to the van, Cossans offered £1,000 to anyone who would put the officers in a headlock.
Gun threat
After he told police he had swallowed heroin, Cossans was rushed to Perth Royal Infirmary.
He became “extremely volatile” and shouted: “If this goes to court, I’ll be phoning up my cousin in Gibraltar who will come across and smoke that wee p****,” referring to the man he had assaulted.
Ms Lyons said: “At this time, there were a number of very young and elderly patients receiving treatment.
“The accused’s behaviour became so erratic that the child patients had to be moved away for their safety.”
Cossans made threats to rape and kill police officers, as well shouting homophobic remarks.
Sheriff Euan Duthie deferred sentence for reports until September 19.