A DRUNK and disorderly young Gourock man threatened to stab police officers and kill their families during a New Year's Eve incident described as 'unsavoury' by his solicitor.

Ross Mills' abusive behaviour on Hogmanay in 2022 landed him in the dock at Greenock Sheriff Court after he admitted to two charges, including struggling violently with PCs as they tried to handcuff him.

A sentencing hearing was told that a police cell van was called out to the town's Shore Street and six constables dealt with the then-teenager while he hurled profanities and resisted arrest.

Mills, now aged 20, was reported to police by his father at around 7pm on December 31, 2022 who claimed that his son was threatening to jump into water and was under the influence of alcohol.

A prosecutor told the court that officers attended immediately and were met by Mills who was outside and shouting at them to 'come ahead'.

The procurator fiscal depute said: "The accused walked towards a police vehicle as police were exiting and struck the vehicle with a clenched fist then punched the vehicle and challenged police again.

"Police asked him to calm, however, due to his aggressive manner police attempted to place handcuffs on him.

"He resisted by thrashing his arms and body around.

"He continued to shout at police, 'If I had a sword I would stab every one of you. I will kill yous and your family'."

Not guilty pleas were accepted by the Crown to charges of placing officers in danger by throwing glass at a police vehicle when they were alighting, assaulting a male PC and kicking a female constable on the body to her injury.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "It is an unsavoury incident at the least.

"There was a family bereavement which he is still coming to terms with coupled with the ingestion of too much alcohol.

"The suggestion was that he was going to harm himself and his parents were concerned.

"In sobriety he appreciates that police were there for his benefit."

Sheriff James Varney told Mills: "That behaviour is unacceptable. Police came along to assist you and your reaction to that is absolutely disproportionate.

"The circumstances do not justify your behaviour."

The first offender, of Larkfield Road, has been placed on a structured deferred sentence for three months and a progress report will be provided to the court on July 17.