A YOUNG mother who spat in the face of a police officer and struggled violently when being arrested on Boxing Day has been ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community.


Kerry McInally, 19, of King Street, Whitecrook, committed the offences during a disturbance in Dalmuir.


McInally was appearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to be sentenced for her part in the incident, which took place in Stewart Street.


She had pleaded guilty to the two charges during an earlier court appearance; to resisting arrest by letting her body go limp and struggling violently with the officers, and to assaulting a cop by spitting in his face. The teenager, who is a mother, was on bail at the time of the disturbance.


Procurator fiscal depute Scott Simpson told the court that as McInally was being arrested she kicked out at two police officers.


McInally solicitor, Mr Sweeney, said: “The position here is that the level of alcohol consumed was way in excess of what it should have been. She was with her brother and another couple of friends and there was an argument.


“She was approached by the police and seems to have taken exception to that. She is ashamed and realises that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated. She started drinking at 14.”


Referring to a social work report prepared for the court, Sheriff Craig Turnbull said: “Miss McInally you have other responsibilities in your life. You appear here as a first offender, but the report tells me you have previously been involved with the children’s panel.”


He imposed a community payback order with 150 hours of unpaid work.