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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Alan McEwan

Edinburgh tattoo artist tried to bite police after arrest made him miss UFC fight

An angry Edinburgh tattoo artist tried to bite a police officer after his arrest caused him to miss a UFC fight on television.

David Gilroy lunged at the officer in an local police station and had to be subdued by other officers.

The 24-year-old had stayed up to 3am and was “looking forward” to the Ultimate Fighting Championship bout when he was detained.

Gilroy appeared at the city’s sheriff court on Thursday and pled guilty to assault.

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Fiscal depute Christine Brownlie said three cops went to Gilroy’s cell at the St Leonards station to explain the custody process to him, reports the Record.

Ms Brownlie said Gilroy “reacted by lunging towards” officer Paul Richards and attempting to bite him on the arm.

Defence agent Ross Gardner said his client had been with a group of friends to watch a UFC fight on TV.

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Mr Gardner said Gilroy, a trained tattoo artist, had been drinking and “looking forward to a good night”.

The court heard police were called to the address on another matter on October 25 2020, leading to Gilroy’s arrest.

Mr Gardner said Gilroy had been brought under control with a “leg kick” in the station after he lashed out, something the accused brought on himself.

The solicitor added: “It wasn’t planned that the night would end up like this.”

The main event of the night was a UFC lightweight championship unification bout which saw Khabib Nurmagomedov defeat Justin Gaethje.

Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss fined Gilroy, of the city’s Niddrie area, £380.

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