Drunken bike youth spat on cops

May 21 2009

A HAMILTON teenager spat on two police officers after being caught riding a bike while under the influence of drink.

Officers spotted Andrew Murphy weaving back and forth across Backmuir Road on February 19 this year and cars being forced to swerve to avoid him.

Murphy stopped the bike in front of a police car and fell off, then he ran away.

The officers ran after him and when they caught up with Murphy the accused kicked a female officer on the leg.

He also spat on two other others, the spittle landing on their shoes and trousers.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court last week 17-year-old Murphy, of Backmuir Road, admitted charges of riding a bicycle while under the influence of drink or drugs and assaulting police officers.

His solicitor Charles Ferguson told Sheriff Danny Scullion that Murphy had been out with friends that night, and as he was not working the following day he had a drink.

Mr Ferguson said his client thought it would be quicker to go up the road on a bicycle rather than walk.

However, when Murphy saw the police car he got a fright and fell off the bike.

The lawyer added that Murphy considered the officers to have been heavy-handed with him. This, he said, caused Murphy to “overreact” and spit on them “out of frustration.”

The agent also stressed that his client, an apprentice bricklayer, was in full-time employment and “trying to make something of his life.”

Sheriff Scullion told the accused that he considered the offences to be very serious and that they would normally carry a custodial sentence.

However, given the plea in mitigation and the fact Murphy was in full- time employment, Sheriff Scullion said he would dispose of the matter with a financial penalty.

He fined Murphy a total of £540, payable at a rate of £10 per week.