A man accused of spitting on a police officer during the first Covid lockdown had his trial called off repeatedly because he had the virus.
Jamie Reid finally admitted his guilt on Friday, almost three years after the disgusting incident.
He was warned that, despite the passage of time, he could yet be sent to prison.
Reid, 34, of Woodhead Green, Hamilton, admitted the assault at Motherwell police station on May 5, 2020.
The court heard spittle landed on the officer's face and a spit hood was swiftly put over Reid's head.
The officer did not develop Covid as a result.
Reid also admitted failing to turn up at court for the case in December last year.
Aga Mathieson, prosecuting, said the trial had been put off seven times. On at least two of those occasions Reid had been suffering from Covid.
Defence agent Scott Jones said Reid didn't show in December after falling ill yet again. He was again tested for Covid but the result was "not satisfactory".
Mr Jones added: "He has ongoing serious mental health issues."
Sheriff Andrew McIntyre deferred sentence until May and warned Reid he wasn't ruling out prison.
The sheriff said: "You spat at a police officer at a time when Covid was widespread and significant steps were being taken to limit its further spread.
"The courts were taking a very serious view of spitting and just because time has passed that doesn't mean the offence should be viewed in a different way"
Reid was allowed to remain on bail.
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