Eight months in jail for man who spat on Aviemore nurse and police

A drunk man spat at a nurse at Badenoch and Strathspey Community Hospital in Aviemore before uttering racial remarks to police.

Andrew Anderson (40) had gone in for an appointment on March 24 when he appeared intoxicated.

When a nurse told him that he was early and that he was too intoxicated, he became irate.

Fiscal depute Anna Boyle told Sheriff Robert Frazer at Inverness Sheriff Court: “At around 2.30pm on March 24 the accused arrived at Badenoch and Strathspey Hospital.

“He was found sleeping in the waiting area and had attended too early as his appointment was at 3.30pm.

“A nurse informed him another appointment would be made as he was too intoxicated.

“He stood up and spat down at the nurse. She called for police assistance and he shouted and pushed a flower display at the front of the hospital.

“As he was placed in the police vehicle he was extremely hostile and spat towards the officers and it landed on the back of the cell van.

“He shouted racial remarks and punched the inside of the vehicle.”

Anderson, of Callart Road, Aviemore, who appeared from custody via video link, pleaded guilty to assault of a nurse and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner aggravated by prejudice.

Sheriff Robert Frazer sentenced him to a total of 8 months imprisonment.

Sheriff Frazer said: “You spat on a nurse which is nothing short of disgraceful. You also spat on the police and the language and views expressed deserve nothing less than a custodial sentence.”

Anderson’s defence solicitor David Patterson said: “He has been plagued throughout his adult life and has entrenched attitudes.”