A BOOZED-up abusive lout threatened to blow up a building in Greenock and shoot police in the face after officers arrived to help him.

James O'Neill, 56, was 'so inebriated he can't remember anything about the incident', the sheriff court was told.

Police had been alerted to a male staggering in the road at Rue End Street amid reports that he'd fallen several times in front of moving vehicles.

Prosecutor Pamela Brady told the court: "Officers found the accused traversing a pedestrian crossing, and as he reached the pavement he fell backwards in front of a stopped car.

"He was unsteady on his feet and slurring his words. They were concerned he may fall into the path of moving traffic.

"He said he was just out a walk to sober up and said he would continue on his way."

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O'Neill then became aggressive towards the police and shouted expletives at them.

He had one fist clenched and was holding a set of house keys, the court heard.

He offered to fight the officers, telling them how he would 'roll about with all three of you'.

Fiscal depute Mrs Brady added: "He was arrested and continued shouting, swearing and threatening violence.

"He said 'take one of these cuffs off because I'm going to seriously assault you'."

O'Neill then shouted: "Once I'm out I'm going to shoot you all in the face."

He also threatened to blow up a building and nearby vehicles.

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O'Neill committed the offence at around 7.40pm on July 1 last year, whilst on a bail order.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "He appears to have been so inebriated he can't remember anything about the matter at all.

"His behaviour is totally unacceptable. Police were there helping him."

Mr Gallagher added that O'Neill, of Prospecthill Court, had a serious problem at the time with street valium.

The solicitor added: "He has PTSD and is a paranoid schizophrenic and clearly those conditions would be exacerbated by the ingestion of controlled drugs.

"For what it's worth he is apologetic.

"Being intoxicated is no excuse and he accepts that."

Sheriff Sheena Fraser deferred sentence for reports.