A GREENOCK man bailed on a domestic abuse charge was found hiding under the bed of the woman he'd been ordered to stay away from.

Shaun McGartland, 38, was caught after blurting out to social workers that he was homeless and his partner had offered him refuge at her place.

Police were told where he was and officers turned up at the address to find him in breach of the court order, less than a month after it was granted.

Defence lawyer Gerry Keenan said: "The whole matter came to light because he volunteered to the social work department that he had been rendered homeless and that the complainer offered him accommodation.

"His attendance at her house was wholly consensual.

"He is in court because of what he said to social workers.

"Mr McGartland's position is that honesty is the best policy."

Solicitor Mr Keenan told Greenock Sheriff Court that his client was already on a 200-hour unpaid work order for a serious road traffic offence committed in June.

McGartland was suspected of being drunk behind the wheel when he was hauled from his car and wrestled to the ground by members of the public on Bank Street.

He refused to be breathalysed and turned the vehicle's key into a potential weapon by clenching it in his fist with the pointed end protruding outwards.

Regarding the bail breach, Mr Keenan said: "My submission is that this offence can be set against a certain background.

"It is pertinent that the complainer appears to have been complicit."

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre deferred sentence for McGartland, formerly of Roxburgh Street, to be of good behaviour until next April.