Man pleads guilty to kicking sheriff outside court

On 22 July last year, Mark Ross, 28, was refused entry to Edinburgh Sheriff Court as he was drunk.

He approached four sheriffs who were having coffee at a nearby cafe before proceeding to kick Sheriff Frank Crowe on the right leg as he returned to the court on Chambers Street.

Bruce Macrosson, fiscal depute, told the court Mr Ross was refused entry because of his drunkenness.

However, five minutes later he entered the cafe where sheriffs Crowe,Gordon Liddle, Nigel Morrison and Norman McFadyen were drinking coffee.

Mr Macrosson said: “The accused approached the table occupied by the sheriffs and mumbled something towards them which they either neither heard nor understood.

“The accused then approached another table.”

At 9:20am the sheriffs left to return to the court.

“The accused approached Sheriff Crowe and kicked him on his right leg to his injury,” Mr Macrosson added.

Sheriff Crowe, who did not need medical attention but suffered soreness, reported the incident to police and identified Mr Ross as the assailant.

Ray Megson, defending, said: “I want to see if this man can get help.

“He has a large number of previous convictions, all of the same sort.

“This man is not getting proper medical attention and resorts to alcohol.”

Sheriff Alistair Noble deferred sentencing until later this month for social work and psychiatric reports.