Woman brandished knives and spat in police officer’s face

A woman who admitted spitting in a police officer’s face during a drink-fuelled incident appeared from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The court heard that Caroline Tulloch, 29, of Norstane, Lerwick, had had an argument with her mother at their home culminating in Tulloch brandishing knives and threatening to commit suicide. The police were called and Tulloch spat at the officer, compounding that by saying she was infected with hepatitis C and Aids.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie called it a “deeply unpleasant incident”.

Defence solicitor Linda Knarston said Tulloch was extremely sorry for her behaviour and drink was at the bottom of it.

Tulloch had been making efforts to address her drink problem, she said, and apologised “unreservedly” to the police and would do the same to her mother.

Sheriff Graeme Napier said it was “absolutely appalling” behaviour, and asked for reports prior to Tulloch’s next court appearance on 23rd July.

Tulloch was released on bail with two special conditions: that she does not consume alcohol or be under its influence in a public place, and that she should submit to an alcohol breath test if required to do so by the police.