A GREENOCK man threatened to spit on police and shouted: "I've got AIDS and hep and you're getting it too."

Joseph Elliot, 33, hurled foul-mouthed abuse at two PCs in the street after they saw him staggering around as he walked a dog.

Now he has been warned by a sheriff that he will be heading to jail unless he can behave himself.

Prosecutor Lindy Scaife told the town's sheriff court: "At 9.25am police saw the accused unsteady on his feet and intoxicated.

"Officers approached to speak to him and he was immediately abusive.

"He called them derogatory names and stated, 'I'll take you — you're lucky you don't get stabbed'."

Elliot committed the offences on Sir Michael Street in February.

He pleaded guilty to shouting, swearing and making threats of violence on the day he was due to stand trial.

Defence lawyer Ellen Macdonald told the court that her client was now 'tired' of offending.

Ms Macdonald said: "The background report indicates an ongoing issue with drugs and that he would benefit from a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO).

"He's had no alternatives to custody since 2002."

Sheriff Derek Hamilton said: "I don't think that a treatment and testing order itself is sufficient"

The sheriff told Elliot: "I will give you an opportunity to remain out of custody meantime."

Elliot, of Nicolson Street, has been placed on an electronic tag to remain within his home between 5pm and 5am each day for three months.

He was also placed on a DTTO for 18 months.

Sheriff Hamilton said: "If breached, given your record, you're likely to go to custody."