A Buckfast thief has admitted injuring a police officer after a drunken bicycle chase through Montrose town centre.
Jordan Henderson pedalled away from police after stealing three bottles of the notorious tonic wine from a High Street shop.
During the pursuit, he crashed into PC Mark McGuire and dropped one of his bottles.
PC McGuire fell onto the broken glass, slicing both hands.
Henderson, 28, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court and admitted shoplifting booze from the Party Time store and assaulting PC McGuire on October 16.
The father-of-one – who has previous for attempted armed robbery – was given a last chance to avoid prison and warned if he does not stay out of trouble he could spent Christmas behind bars.
No attempt to pay for Buckfast
Fiscal depute Jill Drummond told the court: “The accused walked into the Party Time shop at around 9pm.
“He was observed by a retail assistant and an ex-employee who was there at the time.”
She said: “He went to the back of the shop and picked up three bottles of Buckfast.
“The accused then walked straight back out without making any attempt to pay.”
Shortly after leaving, Henderson dropped one of the bottles outside WH Smith.
He returned to Party Time about 45 minutes later.
“The staff member saw him and pressed the panic button, alerting police to a situation,” said Ms Drummond.
“The accused left the store before officers arrived.”
At about 10.40pm, Henderson was spotted by police cycling along John Street.
“He had one of the Buckfast bottles,” said the fiscal depute.
“Police approached him and pulled up alongside his bicycle.
“They began a conversation about his behaviour and asked him to drop the bottle.
“The accused then made off on his bicycle and police gave chase.”
Henderson admitted he rode towards PC Mark McGuire, who was chasing him on foot, and collided with him.
The bottle fell to the ground and smashed.
PC McGuire fell on top of it, slashing his hands.
The officer was taken to A&E and was treated with two stitches to his left palm and one to his right.
Ms Drummond said Henderson was “too intoxicated” to be charged that night.
Troubled man
Solicitor Nick Markowski, defending, told the court: “My client is a troubled individual.
“His offending has been almost persistent since he was 16.”
He said: “Mr Henderson was intoxicated and has limited recollection of that night.
“He is fully aware that because of his record, each time he appears in court his liberty is at risk.”
Mr Markowski urged the court to continue matters and keep his client on a “tight leash”.
Sheriff Krista Johnston agreed to defer the case while Henderson makes progress on a community payback order imposed following a previous conviction.
“I take the view that the incident with the police constable was a serious matter, entirely of your making,” she told Henderson.
“Let me make this clear, I would have jailed you today.
“But I’m persuaded to give you another opportunity.”
The sheriff deferred sentence until December 20.
“If you are of good behaviour then you won’t get the jail,” she said.
“But if you don’t have a good report when you come back here, you will go to jail and you and your son won’t be spending Christmas together.”
Henderson thanked the sheriff. “That’s well appreciated your honour,” he said.
