BUG FEARS

Coronavirus Scotland: Junkie claimed he had Covid-19 during violent outburst when Glasgow chemist refused him methadone

A JUNKIE threatened to burn down a chemist, shoot a bystander and claimed he had coronavirus after being refused methadone.

The 32-year-old went berserk after pharmacy staff in Glasgow denied him a full weekend dose of the heroin substitute.

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He then kicked off in the back of a police van by smashing his head off a seat and thumping himself with handcuffs.

A probe was launched by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner due to the man’s injuries. But they concluded cops acted proportionally "in the face of extreme provocation".

PIRC Commissioner Michelle Macleod said: “This man’s behaviour was extremely concerning and distressing for the pharmacy staff and arresting officers given the seriousness of the current Covid-19 crisis.

“The police officers involved conducted themselves professionally and their response was proportionate and necessary in the face of extreme provocation.”

Officers were called to the premises in Glasgow on Friday 8 May when the 32-year-old entered the building at around 1.25pm.

He failed to comply with social distancing guidelines issued under emergency coronavirus legislation and demanded methadone from staff for the full weekend. When this was refused, the thug became verbally abusive towards staff.

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He then left the premises but returned a short time later and spat and coughed at a member of the chemist team.

A member of the public within the pharmacy took hold of the man and removed him from the premises. The man threatened to shoot the person and set fire to the building.

Police officers were called to the incident, arrested the man and placed him in handcuffs - before he told them he had Covid-19.

He was placed in a police van where he deliberately struck his head on a seat causing a cut to his forehead before he then struck his head with handcuffs, further injuring himself.

The man was taken to hospital, where officers put on full Covid-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before entering the hospital.

Following treatment to a cut to his forehead, the man was released into police custody.

He was later charged and remanded in custody.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said: "Police Scotland is supporting a national effort to combat the spread of coronavirus and the vast majority of people are doing their part to protect the NHS and save lives.

"Threats against key workers performing essential duties are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

"The actions of the officers who responded to this incident were professional, necessary and proportionate and I am pleased that this has been confirmed by the PIRC."