A MAN was placed in an overnight cell after repeatedly threatening police officers.

Sean Rafftery, of Station Road, Mauchline admitted behaving in a threatening manner and shouting, swearing and threatening police officers with violence, at Kilmarnock Police Station and within a police vehicle, travelling from Mauchline to Kilmarnock on September 2.

The 35-year-old appeared before Sheriff Mhari McTaggart at Ayr Sheriff Court last week.

Depute Fiscal, Lorri Pigeon, explained: “The accused and the complainer had been in a relationship for around two years.

“At around 9pm, both were at the dwelling on Station Road and they had been drinking alcohol.

“At this time the complainer went to the bedroom and she had fell asleep. At 10:15pm, she was woken up by loud music in the living room. She went and seen the accused watching TV while listening to music on his laptop. She could see he was intoxicated. She asked him to turn the music down. The accused began shouting, making comments about the complainer’s family and friends. When she asked the accused to turn the music down again, he refused on a number of occasions and an argument broke out.

“The complainer then contacted a friend for assistance and her friend heard the accused shouting in the background. When the complainer attempted to leave, the accused prevented her from doing so. She contacted her friend again and told her to call the police.”

The court heard how the complainer was found standing outside upset while the accused was found sitting watching the football in the house.

Ms Pigeon continued: “Whilst the accused was conveyed to the police station, he had been telling officers “you wouldn’t want to meet me in the streets you c**nts” and saying that they didn’t know what he was “capable of.”.When they were at Kilmarnock Police Station, he responded poorly when asked to remove his clothes. Due to his aggressive demeanour, he had to be placed in a cell overnight.”

Speaking on his behalf, defence solicitor Ms Stewart, said: “Mr Rafferty is fully aware of where this places him due to his previous domestic convictions. He realises alcohol doesn’t have a great effect on him and he accepts full responsibility for his behaviour and realises it was completely inappropriate. He did apologise to the officers the next morning.”

Sheriff McTaggart called for reports.