Inmate faces custody for abusive acts

A PRISONER who threatened a custody officer in the cells has been warned he faces a jail sentence.

William Collins shouted violent threats and swore at Paul McKay at Livingston Police Station, West Lothian.

At Livingston Sheriff Court yesterday, Collins, 30, from Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner.

The prosecution agreed to delete part of the charge which alleged that Collins tried to pervert the course of justice by claiming he knew personal information about Mr McKay, who was due to give evidence against him in another case.

Deferring sentence for reports, Sheriff Gerald Warner told Collins: “This was a truly appalling offence. I’ve a very strong feeling that custody might be inevitable.”

Collins, who has been on remand since the offence, was freed on bail while social workers prepare the reports.

However, Sheriff Warner warned him: “My releasing you is no guarantee as to what will ultimately happen to you – custody might be a disposal.”