A WOMAN caused uproar as she hurled insults at a sheriff when told to serve a jail sentence.

Kerry Shaw, 28, shouted abuse at Greenock Sheriff Court after learning she would serve five months behind bars for causing a breach of the peace at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, pictured, and making death threats to police officers.

She had first appeared to start crying in the dock when Sheriff Ruth Anderson handed down the jail term.

But that quickly turned to anger as she began shouting while being led into custody as the sheriff ignored the abuse.

Shaw, who was already serving a four month sentence for a separate offence, had pled guilty to the crime which took place at Inverclyde Royal in October last year.

She had alarmed elderly patients waiting in accident and emergency with a foul-mouthed rant in which she threatened to ‘smash everyone’.

At Greenock Sheriff Court, depute fiscal Pamela Brady said: “She had been arrested on another matter and was taken to Greenock police station. As she was being processed a small box containing tablets was recovered from the accused.

“It was noticed that her speech was slurred and she appeared lethargic.

“Police were concerned that it was maybe a drug she had taken which was causing this effect and she was taken to IRH.

“While waiting to be seen she was aggressive towards the officers and unhappy about the handcuffs she was wearing.

“Ms Shaw had said: ‘Get me out out of here before I smash everyone’ and later told the officers: ‘I’ll kill the both of you.’ Shaw appeared from custody at the court on Monday to learn her fate.

Her solicitor said she was on drugs at the time of the offence and admitted that her client had an ‘appalling record’.

Sheriff Anderson said: “These breaches of the peace in public places such as hospitals need to be viewed as serious.”