A DRUNKEN yob behind a pre-Christmas fracas in a Whitecrook street has been given a chance to prove himself over the forthcoming festive season.

David Steen shouted and swore outside the house in Boyle Street last December and called a police officer a “bearded p****”.

The 29-year-old appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday for sentencing after pleading guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

Steen, formerly of Helensburgh but now living in Brachelston Street in Greenock, also admitted a similar offence at a property in Valeview Terrace in Dumbarton on New Year’s Day this year.

But the sheriff at Friday’s hearing agreed to give Steen time to show he could behave – after reading a “very positive” report on his progress since the offences were committed.

Emma Thomson, prosecuting, told the court a witness at home with her two children on December 20 last year had heard Steen shouting and swearing outside her property on December 20 and shouting the name of someone who did not live there, leading her to think he was at the wrong address.

Police were contacted and Boyle was detained a short time later, but directed the insult at one of the officers as he was arrested.

Turning to the Dumbarton incident, Ms Thomson said police had gone to the Valeview Terrace property on the afternoon of New Year’s Day this year and found Steen on the landing, apparently drunk.

Ms Thomson said: “The accused was asked to provide details. He began to shout ‘get to f***’ and ‘I’ve done f*** all’.

“He was given several warnings to moderate his behaviour but continued to shout and swear.”

Steen’s solicitor asked the court to allow her client to continue the progress he has been making on a community payback order imposed for a separate offence.

She told Sheriff John Hamilton: “He has no intention of being before you again. He now has a good level of attendance [on his order], his attitude is positive, and he understands what he has to do to moderate his behaviour.”

Steen’s sentencing had already been deferred to await the outcome of a trial at Greenock Sheriff Court; his solicitor said he had been found not guilty in that case in November.

Sheriff Hamilton deferred sentence further on the Clydebank and Dumbarton cases for Steen to be of good behaviour until January 11.

“It’s clear the drink is being addressed,” the sheriff noted. “If he’s doing well we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”