A MAN assaulted a female member of staff at a police office in Glasgow after being “unlawfully arrested”.

Peter Cunningham kicked the police support officer on the leg whilst in Cathcart station on the night of July 23, 2021.

The 50-year-old, who had taken street valium that day, had been at the shops at around 9pm when he collapsed.

Emergency crews attended after members of the public requested assistance. Police officers arrested Cunningham due to having a live warrant for his arrest and took him to the Southside station.

He kicked the employee outside a cell, and he was restrained against the wall before being cautioned and charged.

He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week for sentencing.

His defence solicitor said: “He says it never would have happened if he had never been unlawfully arrested. I explained to him, and he agreed, that he still needed to be compliant with the police.

“The allegation against him was an outstanding warrant in connection with a restriction of liberty order breach. He advises me that he told police there was no such breach, but officers were less than polite with him if I can put it that way.

“He asked them to check the system, but they refused to do so, and he was taken to the police office. He continuously asked police to check the system and again they refused to do that.

“The order was imposed on April 22, 2021, until July 22, 2021. It had been completed and this offence occurred on July 23, 2021. It would appear the police system was outdated. The frustration took the better of him and he reacted inappropriately.”

Cunningham, who served in the Army for 12 years, has overcome drug addiction and is currently working with addiction services in relation to alcohol difficulties.

His lawyer added that his client had his own tenancy but had to move to a hostel due to increasing threats to his safety.

He added: “His previous convictions do him no credit.”

Sheriff Charles Lugton said: “The options are quite limited because he doesn’t consent to unpaid work and given the difficulties he has, that doesn’t seem to be realistic.

“I’m going to deal with this by imposing a restriction of liberty order.”

Cunningham was tagged and ordered to stay within a Glasgow hostel between 7pm and 7am for 45 days.