SNS GroupA naked pharmacy student spat on a police officer after taking drugs.
James Gartshore, 24, spat on constable Barry Pritchard at his friend’s home in Glasgow’s Haghill on June 11, 2022.
The city’s Sheriff Court heard the friend contacted the police as Gartshore was behaving “erratically”.
Officers attended the property and found Gartshore there in the nude.
Prosecutor Carrie Stevens said: “He was noted to be erratic and officers tried to calm him down.
“While doing so, Gartshore spat on PC Pritchard’s face with the spit landing on his cheek.”
A spit hood was applied before officers took Gartshore to hospital as they believed he had taken drugs.
The officer had his eye washed out at the hospital meantime.
Gartshore, a first offender from Kirkintilloch in East Dunbartonshire, pled guilty to assaulting the PC Pritchard.
Pat Campbell, defending, told the court Gartshore is two-and-a-half years into a pharmacy course at the University of Strathclyde.
The lawyer says: “He knows this is a serious matter.
“His behaviour was a result of consuming alcohol and other substances that he shouldn’t have engaged with.
“There has been a disciplinary hearing at the university and he and he has been allowed to continue his studies.
“The pharmacy defence association are engaged.
“He is employed part-time and as part of his studies he works in a private pharmacy and a pharmacy at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
“It is a matter for other people if he will be a fit and proper person.”
Sentencing was deferred pending background reports by Sheriff Andrew Cubie until May.
The sheriff told Gartshore: “As Mr Campbell recognises on your behalf, the custodial threshold has been reached due to the nature of the offending.”
Gartshore had his bail continued meantime.
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