A POLICE officer sent to help a man found lying in a Clydebank street ended up being assaulted by him, a court has heard.

John Barrett punched the constable in the face after he went to his aid in Kirkoswald Drive in Drumry last October.

The 30-year-old, of Milton Douglas Drive, Hardgate, appeared in court for sentencing last Friday after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to a charge of assault.

Describing what happened on the night of October 15, fiscal depute Meghan Glancey told Dumbarton Sheriff Court: “Police received a call at about 9.20pm about an unconscious male lying in the street. They attended and saw the accused lying in the roadway.

“An ambulance was called and attended. The accused got to his feet, but on being taken to the ambulance he turned violent and proceeded to punch one of the police officers to the face. He then grabbed the officer and attempted to headbutt him.”

Barrett was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment, and was later discharged into police custody, from where he was brought to court the following day.

He was released on bail on that occasion, but was later remanded in custody after he failed to appear in court on January 14, when a warrant was granted for his arrest.

Kenny McGowan, defending, said: “He has had time in custody to reflect. He has the support of his family.

“I dealt with him when he appeared from custody in respect of this matter in October; he was clearly not in a good place at that time.

“I would submit that today is a good time to put him to the test.”

Sheriff John Hamilton told Barrett he would be released on bail and ordered him to undergo an assessment for a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) as a potential punishment ahead of a further court appearance on April 24.

The sheriff told Barrett: “This period will be a test for you regarding staying off drugs, and more importantly, drink.

“If you end up getting lifted, or are in any further trouble, in that time, it’ll just be the jail for you.”