A MAN spat blood at police who went to his aid after he crashed his car into a field.

Nathan McPhee, 23, lost control of the 2021-reg Mitsubishi Outlander, on a Wee County back road, Falkirk Sheriff Court was told.

Prosector Katie Cunningham said a driver coming the other way saw the car "swerving over the road and onto an embankment" on the B9140 road, near Coalsnaughton, before going completely out of control, crossing the opposing carriageway, and crashing through a fence and into a field.

Miss Cunningham said: "The vehicle then rolled several times before coming to a rest on its roof a considerable distance from the roadway.

"Two males were seen exiting through the rear window."

Miss Cunningham said that other driver who had seen the crash approached the men and asked if they were OK – only for one of them to accuse him of sticking his nose into other people's business.

Police and an ambulance were called to the scene.

McPhee, who had been standing near the rear of the crashed car when police arrived, started to run as officers approached him.

Officers gave chase and McPhee, realising he was not going to be able to make good his escape, turned to face one PC and shouted: "I'm going to murder you."

Miss Cunningham said McPhee then started to swing punches at the constable.

The officer then attempted to restrain him, and after a struggle McPhee started to fall the ground.

Miss Cunningham said: "As he was falling he managed to punch [the PC] with an uppercut to the chin."

He was handcuffed, but as he was being taken to a police van he "spat blood" at the officer and a fellow PC.

Some of the blood landed on that officer's bare arm.

The incident occurred about 4pm on January 20, 2022.

The first officer had to be taken to the Forth Valley Royal Infirmary where an X-ray revealed no obvious facial fractures, but his mouth "clicked" on opening and he was advised to have a soft diet for up to six weeks and regular pain relief.

McPhee, of Pool of Muckhart, Clackmannanshire, described as a carer for his wheelchair-bound father, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, April 26, to dangerous driving and police assault.

He appeared by video link from Perth Prison.

Solicitor Heather Morrison, defending, said: "He is unfortunately unable to explain his actions."

Sheriff Christopher Shead jailed McPhee for 14 months and banned him from driving for 16 months.

He said: "The statutory threshold for custody is readily crossed."