Dog bite police officer wins £200

A Lothian and Borders Police officer who was bitten by a dog after its owner ordered it to attack him has been awarded £200 in compensation.

Pc Andrew McGhee suffered puncture wounds to his bottom during a raid on a home in Edinburgh on 8 January.

Dionne Bolton, 21, pleaded guilty at Livingston Sheriff Court to inciting the dog attack and for hitting another officer three days later.

Bolton, from Edinburgh, was also sentenced to 18 months probation.

Pc McGhee was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he was given a tetanus injection and a course of antibiotics.

The target of their raid was Bolton's partner, who became involved in a struggle with several officers in the living room.

Depute fiscal Lisa McCloy said: "The accused started to remonstrate with the officers when police went into the living room, and she was heard to shout 'bite him' repeatedly.

"A brown terrier type dog, the larger of two pets in the house, bit Constable McGhee on the left buttock causing puncture wounds to the skin."

Bolton admitted assaulting Pc Jacqueline Darrien at West Lothian Civic Centre by punching her on the head to her injury on 11 January.

Bolton's lawyer Paul Harran said: "Her temper was a factor in both these offences."

He said his client was a first offender and looked after her daughter, who was not yet 18 months old.

He said: "There were nine officers in the living room of her house to arrest and restrain her partner.

"She reacted extremely badly to that and became upset in the heat of the moment."

He revealed that Bolton's partner was now in prison.

Sheriff Douglas Kinloch told Bolton both incidents were "extremely serious".

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police treat any acts of violence against officers or support staff extremely seriously and will robustly deal with anyone responsible for such an offence."