A former boxer blamed “blows to the head” for challenging police to a fight in Dundee.
Repeat offender Ryan Warden, a former bantamweight fighter, admitted acting in a threatening and abusive manner towards officers on Beauly Avenue in April 2021.
Warden, of Angus Road, Scone, has previous convictions for threatening police.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard the most recent incident occurred during the last lockdown, after police were called for another matter not before the courts.
‘I’ll smash the both of you’
Depute fiscal Sarah High said: “Police attended the property at around 12.50am.
“While there, the accused exited the front door and confronted officers in the garden.
“He was hostile and aggressive and squared up to them.
“He told them to ‘f**k off’, clenched his fists and adopted a fighting stance.
“He then shouted ‘I was a boxer, I’ll smash the both of you’.
“He continued to shout and swear and when police attempted to apprehend him he ran back into the house.”
Abuse after arrest
Police followed him inside, Ms High said.
“The accused was arrested but continued to resist, lashing out at officers with his arms and legs.
“He attempted to hit one of the officers.
“He was placed in the rear of a police van and taken to headquarters.
“He continued to shout, saying ‘I want your badge numbers. I will come and find you, I will kill you and your families.”
“He was cautioned and charged and made no reply.”
‘He sustained blows to the head’
Defence solicitor David Duncan, in mitigation for Warden, said: “This was a very unsavoury incident.
“He does have an extensive record.
“He was a boxer. He sustained blows to the head.”
Sheriff George Way deferred sentencing for background reports to be prepared.
He said: “From time to time, he seems to just lose it.
“If the incident had been more recent, jail would have been inevitable.
“He does have a history as a boxer, there were not sufficient safeguards in place then.”
Warden, 33, will return for sentencing on February 9.
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