A HOODED hammer-carrying would-be burglar who struggled with a female police officer has been handed a community sentence by a sheriff.

Lewis Piggot was chased and tackled to the ground by brave PC Shivaun O'Neill who foiled his 3.45am break-in bid and frantic hundred-yard dash to escape justice.

The 19-year-old, and an unknown accomplice, were trying to prise open the window of a flat on Greenock's Hay Street when a suspicious witness alerted police.

Piggot tried to flee along with his pal but PC O'Neill managed to catch and hold on to him until back-up arrived.

A hammer that was being used to prise open the window was found at the scene.

In an interview afterwards, PC O'Neill, 29 — who was assisted by colleague Paul McGhee — said: "I caught him and there was a wee bit of a struggle and managed to get him to the ground.

"Catching this guy and getting the case to court is extremely satisfying."

Piggot's punishment, handed down by lawman Daniel Kelly, is 70 hours of unpaid work and he has three months to complete the community payback order.

His lawyer, David Tod, had suggested to the sheriff: "Given that this is his first conviction, there could be a level one community payback order.

"This would allow him to put something back into the community and also reflect the displeasure of the court.

"He found himself in the company of people who lived a lifestyle of hanging about the streets.

"He has foolishly fallen in with that.

"Mr Piggot works when he can and has not been in any trouble since.

"He has now got his own tenancy and it is his intention to get full-time employment."

Sheriff Kelly said: "I am satisfied that this can be dealt with appropriately with an unpaid work order."