A FORMER council worker, who struggled violently with four police officers and then told a sheriff he couldn’t pay a fine or do unpaid work, was described by a sheriff as being “a chancer”.

James Gallagher, of Graham Avenue, Drumry, appeared from custody at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday, after being apprehended on a warrant after failing to pay a penny towards a fine of £250 slapped on him by the court in February this year.

The 38-year-old was fined after being convicted of obstructing police officers at a house in Vanguard Street, Clydebank, on October 15, 2016. He struggled violently with the police in the execution of their duty.

Gallagher, representing himself, told the court: “I worked for West Dunbartonshire Council for 18 years until I lost my job. I have had no money to pay the fine, bills to pay.

“Life is not easy, especially trying to look after siblings. I was almost murdered and stabbed and can’t do any work.”

Sheriff William Gallacher told him: “You were told to pay in February, you came back to court in August and told me again you would pay and were then ordered to come back in September 26, but didn’t turn up.

“Now you tell me you can’t do any work. I think you’re a chancer.”

Gallagher was ordered to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work within five months or face 14 days in jail as an alternative.