A HALDANE man who had his leg amputated after a knife attack three years ago has been electronically tagged for trying to assault a police officer.

Patrick Barnes appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to the attempted attack.

The court heard that police were called out to an off licence store in Alexandria on the morning of June 8, 2020 following a report of a disturbance.

Barnes, 39, was said to have been at the shop under the influence of drink and drugs at around 10.20am and was refusing to leave the premises.

When police offered to assist him in exiting the shop, Barnes removed his hand from his pocket and punched out at the face of a female police constable.

The punch was deflected by the officer.

The court heard that an ambulance had been called to check up on Barnes’ condition, and he was found not fit to be detained because of alcohol and drugs.

Defence solicitor Kenny McGowan told Friday’s hearing that his client did have a criminal history, and referred to an incident three years ago when he was repeatedly stabbed, leaving his life in danger.

Mr McGowan said: “He accepts he is well known to this court and his record is a poor one.

“There was a serious incident in 2018 in which he lost a limb, but he was very lucky to survive.

“He tells me in recent times he has achieved abstinence from drink and drugs, and his appearance today would agree with that.

“He is under a strict regime at home enforced by his mother.

“He acknowledges the fact that he did not at all cover himself in glory with this incident.”

Sheriff John Hamilton imposed a restriction of liberty order requiring Barnes, of Talbot Road in Balloch, to remain within his home address between the hours of 7pm and 7am each night for a period of three months.