A DRUNKEN groom battered his future MOTHER-IN-LAW on the eve of his wedding — then looked stunned when the nuptials were cancelled.

Mathew Dow — who also assaulted a paramedic and launched into a homophobic rant within Inverclyde Royal Hospital — appeared in court just an hour before he was due to tie the knot.

But a hurried custody hearing to allow him bail in order to get hitched was conducted in vain as it emerged during his time in the dock that the wedding was off.

Dow, 27, later admitted to repeatedly striking his fiancée’s mum — who is also his neighbour — within his Port Glasgow home, seizing her by the head and bashing it against a wall to her injury.

He sat open-mouthed as prosecutor Pamela Brady told Greenock Sheriff Court that she had spoken to his victim and had been informed that there was to be no ceremony.

Defence lawyer Gerry Keenan said that Dow — whose fiancée is in the early stages of pregnancy — has mental health issues.

Mr Keenan told the court: “On the eve of the wedding things got on top of him, and his state of intoxication didn’t help matters.

“Mr Dow had something of a panic attack and then found himself involved in these significant matters involving his future mother-in-law.”

Dow also behaved in a threatening or abusive manner at the hospital, repeatedly shouted, swore and made homophobic remarks.

He pleaded guilty verbally abusing and pushing two paramedics who had been called out to his flat on the Port’s Wilson Street.

Dow was last month granted bail to an address in Burntisland, Fife — around 70 miles away — and placed on a 7pm to 7am daily curfew, which ‘frustrated’ his relationship with his bride-to-be.

Solicitor Mr Keenan told a further hearing on Tuesday: “He appeared in court on October 12 and was due to be married early that afternoon, but ultimately the marriage did not commence.

“His bail prohibits contact with his future mother-in-law but the relationship between him and his fiancée has continued and there is a mutual desire to be married sometime in the future.”

Mr Keenan added: “With the curfew in place he can’t have any meaningful relationship with his fiancée due to the travelling times involved.

“I would add that his partner is now six weeks pregnant and the curfew is frustrating the relationship.”

Sheriff Daniel Kelly deferred sentence for a background report and electronic tagging assessment and removed the curfew.

However, a stipulation that Dow does not approach or contact his future mother-in-law, or attempts to do so, remains in place. 

The sheriff told him: “These are very serious matters and all options are open to the court, including custody.”

The case is due to call again next month.