Drunken yob spat at cops

Nov 10 2009 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

A DRUNKEN teenage football fan has been ordered to write a letter of apology and make a donation to charity after spitting at two cops.

Ryan Walker “got himself completely plastered” while watching an Old Firm clash with friends on December 27 last year.

As he made his way home, police officers on patrol spotted him, and were concerned for his safety because he was clearly very drunk.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard how the cops stopped to help Walker and were so anxious about his condition that they took him to Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital to be examined.

But Walker failed to see that PCs Colin McDonald and Tony Docherty were trying to help and spat at them.

He has now been ordered to write a letter of apology and pay £400 to a Strathclyde Police Force charity.

On the day in question he was arrested and appeared in court charged with breach of the peace by conducting himself in a disorderly manner.

When Walker, 17, appeared in the dock to admit his guilt his defence agent John McElroy stressed that he came from a good family, held down a responsible job and had been “mortified” when he sobered up and realised what he had done.

Mr McElroy said there was very little likelihood that Walker would end up back in court again, and he wanted to apologise and take whatever punishment was coming.

The solicitor advocate explained: “On the day in question he had consumed so much alcohol that he had rendered himself insensible.

“He had been watching a televised Old Firm game with friends and got himself completely plastered.”

Sheriff Desmond McCaffrey said that Walker should apologise and ordered him to write a letter to the Chief Constable to say sorry to the officers involved and enclose a cheque for £400 made out to the police dependents’ fund.

Sheriff McCaffrey said: “These two officers were only trying to help you and take you off the street

“It would appear that you have a good family and a good job. You should save up the money in two months and return here with a receipt to show that it has been paid.”

Walker, of Bruce Avenue, Johnstone, had sentence deferred until January 8 next year.