A footballer coughed at police officers after claiming he had coronavirus during an anti-Scottish tirade of abuse.
James Hurst, 28, flew into a rage in the garden of his partner’s home in Glasgow’s Drumchapel in April this year.
The former West Brom and Portsmouth defender initially contacted the police claiming to be the victim of domestic abuse.
Hurst later claimed the matter was resolved but officers became aware of a possible outstanding warrant against him.
On Monday, Glasgow Sheriff Court heard Hurst yelled: “Get my lawyer first.”
The ex-England youth international was told to calm down.
However, he launched into a foul-mouthed tirade, during which he branded the police “Scottish slaves”.
Hurst was soon arrested.
Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “He immediately stated ‘I’ve got Covid, I’m going to cough and spit all over you’.
“At that point he began to cough in the faces of both officers as they were placing handcuffs on him.
“As he did this, he shouted ‘have that’.”
Mr Allan added: “He said he is from the Queen’s country and all Scottish are slaves to him.”
Hurst repeatedly threatened to spit on the officers and continued to hurl abuse.
He said: “You are not the law, you are civilians in uniform, Queen’s country rules, you live in Scottish slums, I am superior.”
He also challenged an officer to fight while stating that he would not “go lightly”.
Hurst is now behind bars after pleading guilty to acting in a threatening or abusive manner towards the officers.
Keith Tuck, defending, told the court Hurst, who now plays for non-league Hednesford Town, has aspirations of becoming a player/manager on his release.
Sentence was deferred until the end of the month for background reports by Sheriff Tony Kelly.
Hurst was remand in custody meantime.
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