Adobe StockA man fired a bow and arrow at two police officers in a murder bid.
Jordan Devine, 30, attacked a police van, forcing the constables to reverse for safety.
A two-foot arrow struck a window of the vehicle, but the officers were unhurt.
A judge heard both had feared for their lives as Devine targeted them in Stevenston, Ayrshire, on December 30 last year.
“Both officers expressed a genuine fear that they were going to be killed”
Prosecutor Alasdair Shaw
He went on to brandish the bow and a machete at more police officers called to the scene.
Devine was only stopped when an officer discharged a taser, and he was eventually strapped in leg restraints.
He later claimed he was a “keen archer”.
Devine was bailed after his initial court appearance – but then went on to commit an attempted carjacking just days later.
He is now behind bars after he pled guilty to his crimes. Devine will be sentenced next month.
‘Arrow hit van level with head of police officer’
Police had been called to Cambuskeith Road in Stevenston in the early hours following reports of a man acting erratically.
Prosecutor Alasdair Shaw told the High Court in Glasgow: “[The officers] saw Devine walking towards them.
“He was dressed in black and held a bow in his outstretched arm with an arrow loaded in the bowstring.
“He turned the arrow in the direction of the police van, held his aim and ran towards the van.
“Devine fired the arrow, striking the passenger window of the vehicle, level with the head of one of the officers.”
As the officer driving the van reversed in panic, she accidentally struck a wall and vehicle became temporarily stuck.
Devine appeared to be looking for another arrow, and this allowed the officers to drive off nearby.
The court heard help was called for, including an armed response team.
Mr Shaw said: “Both officers expressed a genuine fear that they were going to be killed.”
Two other constables were among the backup and they spotted Devine who still brandished the bow and machete.
He stormed towards their van and tried to open a door.
One of the officers fired a taser at Devine, which meant he was able to be handcuffed. He still lashed out and had to be put in leg restraints.
Mr Shaw said Devine eventually calmed down claiming he was a “keen and capable archer” who was due to take part in an event in Ayrshire.
Police seized the bow and machete. A total of nine two-foot arrows – seven with steel tips – were found scattered in the garden of his home.
Mr Shaw said: “It was determined that the arrows could penetrate windscreen glass from a distance of five metres up to ten metres away.”
Devine, of Saltcoats, appeared in court last December 31 and was given bail.
But, a week later, he was spotted under the influence in Stevenston, clutching a bottle and acting aggressively.
A woman was in her car when he shouted at her to get out. He tried to open the door, which was locked.
She was left “extremely alarmed” and contacted the police.
Devine later claimed to officers he had personal issues and felt he was living “out of body experiences”.
He pled guilty to attempted murder as well as two charges of acting in a threatening and abusive manner.
Lord Young continued his remand in custody as sentencing was deferred until November 20 in Edinburgh.
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