A Forfar woman lost her cleaning job after a Christmas night out ended with a violent police confrontation.
Emma Murray was celebrating in the Angus town when she became involved in a bizarre altercation with a passing motorist.
The 22-year-old kicked out at the driver’s car as she stood on the pavement.
Drunken Murray was knocked to the ground, while the vehicle was left with a smashed wing mirror and front headlight cover.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard Murray was taken to Ninewells where she flew into a bitter rage and lashed out at police and paramedics.
Her lawyer said she was full of remorse and would write letters of apology to those affected by her behaviour.
‘Incoherent and under the influence’
Depute fiscal Sarah Wilkinson told the court: “At around 8pm on December 30, 2021, the accused and a group of her friends were walking up North Street. They were making a noise.
“The accused and her friends were standing on the pavement.
“A witness driving the car drove past and the accused kicked out her leg, making contact with the vehicle.
“The force caused the accused to be thrown with considerable force and land on the ground.”
Ms Wilkinson said: “The accused was described as incoherent and under the influence. She walked away with no apparent injuries.”
The court heard police and paramedics arrived shortly afterward.
Murray then began a tirade of abuse, threatening the officers with violence, yelling she was going to “kill them”.
She kicked PC Sophie Stewart to the head and assaulted paramedic Jasmine Hugo.
A striking contrast
Murray, of Restenneth Place, admitted charges of assault and threatening and abusive behaviour at locations across Forfar and Ninewells Hospital on December 30, 2021.
Solicitor Billy Rennie, defending, said: “There is quite a striking contrast in her behaviour when she is sober.
“She would like to write letters of apology to those involved.
“She has lost her job as a cleaner as a result of this.”
Sentencing Murray to 225 hours unpaid work and fining her £300 to compensate for the car damage, Sheriff Derek Reekie said: “This matter does cross the threshold for custody.
“I can accept that this was out of character.
“The police deal with difficult matters all the time but this must have been horrendous.”
