A Hamilton man who spat at two female police officers has narrowly avoided prison.
Sheriff Ray Small told Raymond Sullivan, 56, that guidelines from High Court judges state that spitters should normally be jailed, especially in Covid times.
The sheriff added: "This is a case where I would be justified in imposing custody."
Sullivan, of Kelvin Gardens, admitted assaulting the officers on August 24, 2020.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard he became aggressive after they tried to speak to him in the town's Fleming Way in the early hours.
He was eventually handcuffed and placed in a police vehicle.
Alice Carey, prosecuting, said: "He then spat numerous times but, luckily, the spittle didn't land on either officer."
Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said Sullivan had taken valium and alcohol.
The solicitor added: "He has previous convictions but there are gaps in his offending."
After studying background reports, Sheriff Small ordered Sullivan to do 200 hours of unpaid community work as a direct alternative to prison.
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