John McGuire didn’t have to turn up to be punished for his vile antics and a further offence of failing to be breathalysed because he ‘works at sea’.

Greenock Sheriff Court was told that ship’s cook McGuire, 44, left Inverclyde for a four-week trip just days after admitting to the charges against him earlier this month.

Lawman Ian Fleming — to whom he pled guilty to the breath test failure in January — allowed him to be absent from a recent hearing which dealt with all of the matters before the court.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton remarked: “It’s his lucky day that he’s not here today.” The sheriff asked: “Is there any indication why matters were deferred to today by Sheriff Fleming?” Prosecutor Kevin Doherty told the court: “I have a note in my papers which reads, ‘Accused excused attendance — works at sea’.” Following a lunchtime adjournment, defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said he’d been informed that McGuire was due back onshore for two weeks on 5 March. The Telegraph told earlier this month how boozed-up McGuire sparked an ambulance call-out after smacking his head off the ground during a drunken street tumble in Port Glasgow.

He urinated on the floor of the emergency vehicle after being helped from the ground in Princes Street.

He then repeatedly attempted to punch a paramedic before spitting on the man’s face and clothing.

McGuire’s custody hearing on the matter came just days after he admitted to failing to provide breath samples to police who suspected him of drink-driving at the Dubbs Road roundabout on 20 January.

Sheriff Hamilton asked again: “Do you know what Sheriff Fleming had in his mind when he excused him?” Solicitor Mr Gallagher replied: “He was advised of Mr McGuire’s work commitments and excused him today in order to indentify another date.” Sheriff Hamilton remarked: “It is fortunate that he was excused, because he may not have been sailing for some time.” Sentence on McGuire will now take place on 11 March.