An ex-SAS soldier used a toddler as a weapon to hit police officers as he brawled with them while they were trying to arrest him.
Lindsay Rodger struck the officers with the hysterical two-year-old girl he was holding in his arm as he struggled to avoid being locked up.
The 36-year-old former special forces member ignored pleas to hand the girl over and lashed out with her to fend off the police.
Rodger, who served with The Black Watch and SAS, claimed the drink-fuelled incident was sparked by flashbacks he suffered in relation to his time spent in the military.
Depute fiscal Tina Dickie told Perth Sheriff Court police had been called to a domestic disturbance.
She said: “Several police officers attended and were met in the common close by the accused. He was holding the two-year-old girl in his arms.
“The police were under the impression the accused was intoxicated. The two-year-old was becoming incredibly upset and police asked him on several occasions to desist.
“However, he became increasingly aggressive and continued making threats of violence towards the police. Officers repeatedly requested that he let go of the child, as she was clearly in distress, but he failed to comply.
“Police were growing increasingly concerned for the safety of the young child as the accused was extremely hostile and aggressive.
“At that point he lashed out with his right hand, striking and punching two officers to the face. Another constable took control of his right arm.
“He appeared to start lashing out with the arm holding (the child). The police said it appeared he was lashing out with her and attempting to strike the officers.
“Eventually the accused was restrained and the child was safely removed by police officers.”
Solicitor Katie Bell, defending, said: “A few days before this his mother had died. That resulted in a struggle due to the emotional state he was in.
“He is extremely apologetic about this and realises there was no reason for the child to be involved. The fact she was extremely upset brought it all home to him.”
She added: “There has been a build-up from his mother’s death and his not yet dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. It is not an excuse, but goes some way to explaining how this came about.”
Ms Bell added that Rodger now realised he needed medical help for his problems and was prepared to get the treatment required.
Rodger, of Skinnergate, Perth, admitted culpably and recklessly taking hold of the toddler and using her as a shield to prevent officers taking hold of him.
He admitted striking officers with her, causing upset and the risk of injury and other harm.
He also admitted assaulting two police officers by punching their faces, and struggling with his wife, on July 4 last year. Rodger also admitted resisting arrest and punching another officer on the body, and punching a bar worker on the head during a brawl at a pub on July 15.
He also admitted making derogatory remarks about the Travelling community.
Rodger also admitted struggling with five police officers and breaking PC Callum Reed’s finger during another incident in Perth on December 28. Further, he admitted kicking PC Reed on the face.
Sheriff William Wood freed Rodger on bail and deferred sentence for the preparation of background reports. He was placed on a curfew.
He told Rodger: “A custodial sentence is something I need to consider. For goodness sake, stay out of trouble.”
Rodger has not previously been jailed, despite being convicted of drink-driving three times between 2011 and 2017.
Sheriff Wood told him: “I am surprised someone with your background of military service and so on should have shown such a lack of judgment. If you are drinking to mask post-traumatic stress disorder, you have to get a handle on it.”
