A CHRONIC alcoholic guilty of street drinking and hurling abuse in the Oak Mall has been refused help from drink counsellors — because he can’t stop downing a LITRE of vodka a DAY.

John Baird’s shocking intake of the spirit was revealed as he appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court.

The 52-year-old was facing a jail term because the sentencing options available to the sheriff were so limited as a result of the refusal by Inverclyde Alcohol Services to deal with him.

Lawman Derek Hamilton remarked: “Obviously they don’t want to be involved — a fine is not appropriate for him and he is unsuitable for unpaid work.

“That doesn’t leave me with many alternatives.” Prosecutor Lindy Scaife told the court how police officers spotted Baird walking towards them and swigging from a bottle of wine in Greenock’s West Stewart Street in January.

Oak Mall security guards were alerted to him having fallen asleep on a bench within the shopping centre whilst drunk the following month.

Fiscal depute Ms Scaife said: “The staff attempted to wake him and he became aggressive.

“He spoke to the security guards in derogatory terms, calling one of them a name and saying, ‘I’m going to get you — you’re getting it’.

“The accused was on bail on a charge of theft by shoplifting at the time.” Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: “The report on him does not make for good reading.

“The level of units of alcohol he consumes every week must be having a detrimental effect on his general health.

“A litre of vodka a day must be having some effect on him.” The solicitor added: “The last time he was sent to custody was 19 years ago. He accepts the disposals available to the court are limited by the report.

“If he continues with this lifestyle he may not be long for this world.” Sheriff Hamilton told Baird: “My options are limited. However, I have no particular desire to send you into custody.

“I will defer sentence on you to be of good behaviour and you will be back here in three months time to see if you have been.

“If you have got into further bother, be it drinking in the street or a fixed penalty fine for anything, I will have no alternative but to send you to prison.” Baird, of Prospecthill Court, is due back in court again on 15 March next year.