Man who spat at police after sectarian rant jailed

A poet who spat at a police officer during lockdown after going on a sectarian rant was jailed today for 10 months.

John Riley, 42, also threatened to shoot officers with a gun at Glasgow’s Cathcart station in May this year.

Riley was initially arrested after becoming involved in an unrelated matter on Cathcart Road.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard Riley shouted, swore at officers and uttered threats of violence.

Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “He uttered sectarian remarks such as 'f* Bobby Sands' and called police officers 'tarrier b****s'.

“He made threats saying he was going to shoot and he had a gun in his house.”

Riley continued his tirade of abuse before kicking out at PC Peter Scott’s leg as officers tried to take him to the station.

Mr Allan added: “During the pandemic he spat towards police officers who were trying their best to detain him.”

Officers applied a spit hood and Riley wasn’t cautioned and charged due to his intoxicated state.

He pleaded guilty today to acting in a threatening or abusive manner and the assaults on the officers.

Riley was out on licence for a previous offence at the time.

Lawyer, Keith Tuck, defending, said Riley, an artist and poet who has performed at the Citizens Theatre, “overreacted.”

Sheriff Ian Fleming told the court he needed to impose a custodial sentence.

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