Sheriff finds Greenock woman guilty after foul-mouthed rant at officers

Jill Smith, 55, shouted, swore and called police 'rats' near a children's play park in the town after being detained for a drug search.

In a separate later incident she spat at produce in Tesco and made disgusting sexual references to a female PC.

Smith, of Broomhill Court, stood trial on the first matter after denying shouting, swearing and making threats at Well Park last August.

However, she chose not to give evidence after two police officers told of her aggressive behaviour as children played nearby.

One told the court: "She appeared to be rambling and I saw her hand sweeping something off of a bench.

"She appeared to be under the influence of a substance, her eyes were glazed.

"I applied handcuffs and carried out a search.

"Nothing was recovered.

"She was continually shouting aggressively, calling us 'rats'.

"The park was very busy and there were a number of children playing nearby.

"She stated, 'Yous are getting done in but I'm not doing time for it'."

The day after the trial, Smith appeared in the dock to plead guilty through lawyer Paul Keenan to the Tesco offence, which occurred after 10pm on November 1 last year.

Prosecutor Gemma Barclay said: "Police were called because the accused was refusing to leave.

"She had engaged in a disagreement with staff and was seen to spit towards stock in the front foyer.

"The officers approached and she was immediately aggressive towards them.

"She was asked to desist but continued to swear in telling the officers where to go."

After being placed in a police car, Smith made a string of sexual references towards a female officer and called them a disgusting derogatory name 'on numerous occasions'.

She later spat on the inside of the vehicle's door.

Sheriff David Pender told Smith: "Your language was appalling and your behaviour was appalling."

Sentence on the matters has been deferred until July 5 and July 13 respectively, for reports on her to be prepared.