A LOUT who punched a police officer has been jailed.

Jordan Jackson, 23, carried out the attack after refusing to remove paper he'd placed over a light within a cell at the station in Rue End Street.

The town's sheriff court heard how Jackson told police to 'come and get it yourself' before delivering the blow.

Prosecutor Meghan Glancey said: "Officers were carrying out a routine custody check and observed that the accused had placed a prisoner rights form over the cell light.

"He was told to remove it and became abusive.

"The accused swore and shouted, 'C'mon then, I'll take yous'.

"His tirade continued and he stated, 'You'll need your shields to get me out'.

"An officer entered the cell area and the accused struck the officer to the left of his head with a closed fist."

The court heard how Jackson was on bail on an allegation of a racial breach of the peace at the time of the incident on February 17.

Defence lawyer Ellen Macdonald said: "Mr Jackson was aware that there was a warrant out for him and he made arrangements to surrender himself.

"He had taken alcohol in order to make his time in police custody more comfortable.

"He found the cell light to be too bright, asked for it to be turned off and this request was refused.

"He says himself in the background report that his actions were 'stupid and unacceptable'."

Jackson, whose address was not given in court, pleaded guilty to the assault and shouting, swearing, making threats of violence and challenging police to fight.

He was also charged with struggling violently with six officers but his not guilty plea to this was accepted by the Crown.

The court heard that Jackson has convictions for assault to injury with a bottle and contraventions of emergency workers legislation and the Police Scotland Act.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton sentenced him to nine months imprisonment, backdated to when he was remanded in custody on February 19.

The sheriff told him: "Clearly you have an issue."