A WOMAN’S drunken behaviour was branded “outrageous, unacceptable and disgraceful” by a sheriff.

Michelle Montgomery, 37, of Second Avenue, Clydebank, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last Thursday.

At an earlier hearing she admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner, likely to cause a reasonable person fear and alarm, in Second Avenue on May 19 and also on a journey between Clydebank Police Office and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where she swore at paramedics. She also admitted assaulting a police officer by attempting to headbutt him.

Sentence was deferred from a previous hearing.

Fiscal Depute Laura Knox told the court that the incident happened at 3.30pm. She said: “Police were asked to attend in order to assist an ambulance crew who were receiving reports of a female that had self-harmed.“They attended immediately and were invited into the locus by the accused who appeared heavily intoxicated.”

The court was also told how the accused was found with lacerations on both her arms.

Ms Knox added: “She became hostile towards police and verbally abusive, saying “what the f*** are you b******* doing here.

“I didn’t f****** call you.”

Montgomery was told to calm down but the accused continued to be hostile and swore at police, saying “get to f*** out my house you b*******.”

As a result Montgomery was arrested.

She was taken to Clydebank Police Office but due to her injuries she was taken to hospital to get her wounds dressed. She continued to abuse officers and her behaviour was witnessed by members of the public, children and hospital staff.

Ms Knox said: “At that point she lashed out at an officer, throwing her head forward in an attempt to headbutt him on the face. She was eventually seen by a doctor but she refused to speak to them.”

Montgomery’s defence solicitor said: “Miss Montgomery, in many ways, is a very vulnerable individual with long-standing alcohol problems and with a fragile mental health. It’s not a good combination. Her mental health, over the years, has been extremely good at times and extremely bad at times. This was a period in her life where she was needing help but was not able to articulate it.”

She added: “She has everything to lose, and potentially her child, her health and her life.”

Sheriff William Gallacher told Montgomery: “Why on earth should police and hospital staff have to put up with people behaving in this way?

“Why should that be tolerated from somebody who put herself in that situation?”

Addressing Montgomery Sheriff Gallacher said: “Your behaviour was outrageous, unacceptable and disgraceful to everybody around. You created mayhem around you.

"If I was to send you to prison I’m not sure a great deal would be achieved.

“So with hesitation I will improve a Community Payback Order.”

Montgomery was placed on a Community Payback Order, which requires her to carry out 250 hours’ unpaid work in the community within the next eight months. She will be under supervision for the next 18 months and must attend a mental health treatment programme.

A special condition imposed on Montgomery was that she must not consume alcohol while undertaking the programme. The case will call again in eight weeks’ time so that a review of the payback order can be carried out.