Lout gave a Nazi salute within Inverclyde Royal Hospital and threatened to kill police

Paul Best has been warned he's facing prison over his tirade of abuse and gestures.

Best, 32, hurled slurs at officers following an ambulance crew having to call for back-up after rushing to his aid to treat an injury to his arm.

He shouted at police: "See that swastika? Each corner is for folk I've killed and yous are next."

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how paramedics had gone to Best's Belville Street home at 2.50am because he had a cut on his arm.

Prosecutor Lindy Scaife said: "Police were requested to attend by ambulance staff because he was being abusive.

"When officers arrived the accused was in the back of the ambulance and was being aggressive and swearing at the police.

"On being conveyed to Inverclyde Royal Hospital he kept standing up in the ambulance, and its driver had to stop."

Fiscal depute Ms Scaife added: "His injury was cleaned at A&E and he was awaiting stitches when he shouted at police and stated, 'I'll bite the nose right aff yous'.

"The accused was asked to calm down, however, he pointed to a tattoo on his right forearm of a swastika.

"He raised his tight arm in a Nazi salute position and at that point he was arrested.

"The accused continued to shout at the police, demanding the attention of nurses and doctors and that he be treated immediately.

"There were a number of patients within A&E at the time."

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "I would invite the court to allow him to keep his liberty for the preparation of reports.

"He had been drinking to excess in the early period of last year following the death of his grandmother, which he found difficult to come to terms with.

"He has no recollection of the matter whatsoever.

"Mr Best accepts that his behaviour was reprehensible and it cannot be explained further, other that he'd drank to excess."

Mr Gallagher said: "He accepts that the court will have a fairly stark choice to make at the end of the day."

Best pleaded guilty to shouting, swearing, acting aggressively and making threats of violence.

He committed the offence on April 8 last year.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton deferred sentence until February 6 and allowed bail.

However, the sheriff told Best: "Bail should not be a message that this will result in a non-custodial sentence."