A POLICE car almost crashed after the driver was spat at by a man handcuffed in the back seat.

Sean Hill, 21, caused the officer to swerve the car after the vile attack on 10 July.

The thug was being taken to Greenock police office after being arrested during a late-night disturbance in Dempster Street.

His behaviour caused the officers to apply a spit mask to his face to prevent him repeating the assault.

Hill, of South Street, appeared from Greenock Sheriff Court to plead guilty to two charges through his solicitor Andrew Kennedy.

He admitted causing a breach of the peace by shouting, swearing and threatening police officers with violence in Dempster Street.

He also admitted assaulting a constable by spitting at him, narrowly missing him, causing the driver to swerve the vehicle.

Depute fiscal Kevin Doherty said: “There was a disturbance at an address in Dempster Street at around 11.10pm.

“Mr Hill was shouting and swearing at police officers when they arrived, as well as shouting at a person he thought was in their police car.

“But there was no-one in the car at that time.

“He told one officer ‘I would stab you if you weren’t in uniform’ and ‘I know where you live’.

“The police officer instructed Mr Hill to go home, but Mr Hill did not heed that advice.” Mr Doherty said that shortly after being arrested and placed inside the police car, Hill spat at the officer who was driving.

He added: “Because of his continuing behaviour a spit mask was applied to him.” Solicitor Andrew Kennedy told Sheriff James Spy: “No-one can justify his behaviour on that evening.

“While drunk, he had thought that a relative of his had been detained by police.

“That was not the case and matters thereafter deteriorated.” Hill was released on bail and sentence was deferred for background reports to be compiled.

Matters continue on 22 October.