A man assaulted a prison officer who had tried to help him after he found him tightening a ligature around his neck.

David Andrew Pettigrew appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week from custody.

Pettigrew, who is currently serving a prison sentence but whose previous address is listed as Raise Street in Saltcoats, pleaded guilty to one charge.

The court heard that Pettigrew had been arrested on December 22 of last year. He had been held in custody pending an appearance at the court in Kilmarnock the following day.

On the morning of December 23, 38-year-old Pettigrew was in a holding cell within the court before his appearance in the dock.

Cell 19 was being closely monitored throughout the morning due to Pettigrew’s aggressive behaviour, the court heard.

At one point, the cell warden was advised of a problem in Pettigrew’s cell and so an officer – the complainer – looked into the hatch.

The officer saw that Pettigrew had placed a ligature around his neck. He had one end of the ligature tied round his leg and he was tightening it.

The complainer and three other officers entered the cell and the ligature was cut away from Pettigrew’s neck.

The four officers then tried to restrain Pettigrew using restraint techniques, but he began struggling violently.

Pettigrew pushed his elbow towards one of the officers, striking him on the right side of his face just below his eye.

The 38-year-old was then brought back under control and the police were contacted.

Police officers arrived, but Pettigrew was not cautioned and charged at that point due to his aggressive behaviour.

The officer whom Pettigrew assaulted sustained swelling to his right cheek.

Sheriff Michael Hanlon adjourned the case last week for reports. Pettigrew, who is due for release from prison in mid-May, will return to the court on April 17 for sentencing.