A CLACKMANNAN forrester who soiled his handcuffs in the back of a police van was jailed for seven months last week.

Dean Dalgleish, 25, urinated on the restraints and defecated inside the vehicle after he was arrested on February 12 this year.

On Wednesday, April 26, Stirling Sheriff Court was told that police were called to an address in Perth Road, Dunblane, after reports that he was drunkenly shouting and swearing at his girlfriend.

However, he refused to leave voluntarily, and had to be cuffed by officers at the scene.

Fiscal depute Laura Knox stated he then began to struggle, and added: "He managed to bring his handcuffs to the front, pulled down his trousers, and urinated on them."

Mrs Knox said Dalgleish also "deliberately defecated", fouled the police van, and threatened to smear excrement on the officers' faces.

The vehicle, initially en route to Stirling Police Station, had to be diverted to Livingston so Dalgleish could be placed in a special cell.

The prosecutor added: "The cost of cleaning the police vehicle was £108 and the handcuffs had to be destroyed."

Dalgleish, a father-of-one, of Millbank Crescent, pleaded guilty to two charges of threatening and abusive behaviour.

His defence agent, Claire McCarron, said he had been drinking all day and had consumed beer, vodka, and whisky, as well as a number of shots.

She added: "He is totally embarrassed, ashamed, and disgusted by his behaviour. He would never have acted in such a way if he had been sober.

"He realises it must have been horrific for the police officers."

Mrs McCarron said Dalgleish, who is also a qualified joiner, had "a good work ethic" and had been working for the Forestry Commission as a tree-planter.

Imposing the seven-month jail term, Sheriff Wyllie Robertson told Dalgleish his behaviour had been "utterly repulsive".

He added: "The risk of transmission of infection is obvious."