A BOOZED-UP 21-year-old Whitecrook man who rammed his thumb into the eye of a police officer and punched and kicked another officer on the head has escaped a jail sentence.

Roofer and dad-of-two John Shirley, of Braes Avenue, carried out the vicious attacks on February 18, this year, at a flat in Kilbowie Road, Clydebank.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard on Friday how Shirley behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing and acting in an aggressive manner.

He assaulted a female police constable by seizing her on the body and pulling her onto a bed and punching and kicking her on the head.

He then repeatedly punched and kicked a male constable and seized him by the head and forced his thumb into his eye.

Prosecutor Emma Thomson told the court: “At 6.10am police attended to remove a man from a home where he was not welcome.

“When they went into the bedroom they identified themselves as police officers.

“Shirley became abusive and began shouting ‘f*** off, get to f***, f*** off, night night.’ “He became louder and at 6.30am he was arrested. He became violent and grabbed the female cop and pulled her onto the bed and punched her on the face, then kicked her to the back of her head.

“He then forced his thumb into the right eye of another police officer. He was finally detained and taken to Clydebank police office.”

His lawyer said: “He had been drinking for considerable time to excess. He has little recollection and accepts his behaviour was appalling and apologises to the officers for that.

“When he consumes alcohol he drinks to excess. He has a record, but not a particularly long one. He is well aware it is a serious matter and that custody is an option.”

Sheriff Moira Mackenzie said: “It is extremely serious when you get yourself intoxicated and then assault two police officers in this way.

“It is fortunate they were not injured in a more serious way.

“I am only just persuaded by the background report not to impose a custodial sentence, but the package I am going to impose will be a direct alternative to a prison sentence and will show you just how close you came.”

Shirley was put on a community payback order for 12 months, which will include the supervision of the social work department.

He was also ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work, reduced from 300 hours, the maximum. He was told to carry out the work within 12 months.

In addition he was electronically tagged for four months from 7pm until 7am each day.