Hamilton thug told policeman he would shoot him

Feb 4 2010 Hamilton Advertiser

A THUG was detained in custody last week for threatening to shoot a policeman last week – two days after he had appeared in court charged with shoplifting.

Dean Campbell (22), admitted threatening police constable David Drummond, saying that he would spit on his face.

He also told the officer he was going to get a gun and shoot him and that he would spit blood on his face.

Campbell was arrested after police were called to an address in Hill Street, Hamilton, where the accused had committed a breach of the peace and uttered threats of violence late on Wednesday, January 27.

Following the incident, Campbell was taken to Hamilton Police office and made the threats to PC Drummond. At Hamilton Sheriff Court last Thursday, he admitted both charges. He also admitted committing both offences whilst on bail.

However, a not guilty plea to assaulting PC Drummond was accepted by the Crown.

Three days earlier, Campbell had pleaded guilty to stealing from a store in the town the previous weekend.

Campbell admitted stealing a quantity of home furnishings from B&M Bargains in Douglas Park Retail Park on Sunday, January 24. He also committed this offence whilst on bail.

Sheriff Vincent Smith allowed bail as he deferred sentence until February 19 for reports. While on bail, Campbell was arrested two days later for the disturbance in Hill Street.

He has previous convictions for a range of offences including breach of the peace, drugs and road traffic offences, assault to injury, culpable and reckless conduct and shoplifting.

Last week, Sheriff Joyce Powrie refused bail, detaining the accused in custody until February 19.