A MAN has been jailed for assaulting a support staff member at Clydebank’s police station after going drinking on the day of an Old Firm match.

Gary Cosgrove lashed out at the custody officer after he was arrested on March 31.

The 34-year-old was brought to Dumbarton Sheriff Court from custody last Friday after pleading guilty to charges of assaulting the Police Scotland employee and, earlier on March 31, shouting, swearing and directing abusive remarks towards two police officers.

The incident happened after police were called to a report of an incident at the Blue Triangle Housing Association’s supported living accommodation in Alexander Street.

Meghan Glancey, prosecuting, told the court: “Police were instructed to attend the Blue Triangle in relation to reports of the accused behaving aggressively towards other residents.

“He was placed under arrest and proceeded to shout and swear at police while being taken to Clydebank police office.

“On arrival at the police station, he was being processed at the charge bar when he stated, ‘I’m not going in there without a fight’.

“The accused was then informed he would be the subject of a search. During this, he began to struggle with police. In the process of that search he kicked a custody officer on the hand. This caused immediate bruising.”

Cosgrove’s lawyer, Jonathan Paul, said: “Alcohol is the main factor behind this offence.

“He was made the subject of a community payback order in July 2018, which is progressing very well.

“In my submission, this was an aberration caused by him going to watch the Old Firm game and having something to drink.

“This is his first conviction for assault. He is not normally a man who would get himself involved in violence.”

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Sheriff Simon Pender told Cosgrove: “You have a bad record and police, and police staff, deserve the full protection of the courts when going about their duties. These offences are made more serious by the fact they were committed while you were on bail.”

Cosgrove, who was described in court papers as being of no fixed abode, had been on remand since pleading guilty to the two charges the day after the incident.

He was handed a six-month prison sentence, backdated to April 1.