by Craig Borland

A CLYDEBANK man who assaulted two on-duty police officers after being arrested for breaching a condition of bail has been jailed for a total of 20 months.

Stephen McKenzie kicked one constable on the body while in a common close, and bit a second on the leg while in the back of a police van.

McKenzie, 31, had failed to comply with a curfew order keeping him within what was then his home address in Montrose Street.

Scott Simpson, prosecuting, told Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week that McKenzie’s mother had contacted police after he went to her home a short distance away on the night of April 27.

“Police attended and saw that he appeared to be somewhat intoxicated,” Mr Simpson said.

“The police officers discovered that he had a live bail curfew to remain in his own house, and so he was arrested.

“But he didn’t take well to this and kicked one of the officers on the leg.

“He continued to be uncooperative to the point that he bit the other officer on the leg.”

McKenzie – who appeared in the dock from custody on October 18, having been placed on remand on a separate matter – was taken to Clydebank police office in April, where police decided not to caution and charge him because of his drunken state.

“He wasn’t entirely helpful at any stage when police had dealings with him.”

McKenzie’s solicitor, Judith Reid, said there was little she could add to Mr Simpson’s account of proceedings, other than to say he was anxious to be dealt with on the day of the hearing.

“I would ask you to please give him credit for that line of thought,” Ms Reid told Sheriff Maxwell Hendry.

“Until recently he was living in a household where other people were causing substantial difficulties. He has been without the support network that he has needed for a long time.”

McKenzie, now of Cleddans View, was jailed for six, six and eight months – to run consecutively – on the three charges from April 27. Sheriff Maxwell Hendry said: “Your behaviour towards police was intolerable.”