Port Glasgow man slapped his mother on the face after being charged with brandishing a knife at her

Ross Gault, 29 — who is set for trial next month on the blade matter — lashed out after losing his temper during a meeting with social workers.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how he became 'volatile' towards his mum at a Richmond Fellowship premises in the town on February 7.

The flashpoint came after Gault was charged with brandishing a knife at her, and scissors at police officers who were called to the family home on the Port's Oronsay Avenue on December 22 last year.

Prosecutor Flora Napier said: "Discussions did not go the way that the accused wished and he became volatile.

"He slapped his mother to the right side of her face.

"He had got up and grabbed his jacket to leave, and as he did so he struck her."

Gault, who is currently living with a relative at Shore Street in Gourock, had also been charged with behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by repeatedly shouting and swearing and threatening to self harm but his plea of not guilty to this allegation was accepted.

He is currently subject to a special bail condition not to approach or contact his mother.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "His parents remain supportive of him."

Sheriff Joseph Hughes deferred sentence on the assault matter until next May, for Gault to be of good behaviour.

He is due to stand trial on the knife and scissors charges on December 2.