A SERIAL Greenock offender who caused nearly £3,000 worth of damage during a vehicle vandalism spree has been allowed FIVE YEARS to pay compensation to his victims.

Brian Cummings - branded a 'considerable disturbance to the community' - gouged 'deep scratches' along the side of a succession of cars in a fit of booze-fuelled mindlessness.

But despite being on four community payback orders for a series of other crimes, the 55-year-old was spared prison and allowed to make reparation at just £50 a month.

It means that it will be 2028 before he completes the compensation order.

Asked by Sheriff George Jamieson why Cummings vandalised the cars, defence solicitor Ellen Macdonald shrugged and replied: "Drink."

Cummings used an unknown object to scratch the paintwork of five cars along a 500-yard stretch of Inverkip Road on the afternoon of April 2.

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The value of the damage caused was £600 for one vehicle, £1,100 for another, £500 for a third, £200 for a fourth and £400 for a fifth, totalling £2,800.

Lawyer Ms Macdonald said: "In the majority of his offending, alcohol is involved."

At a previous hearing, Cummings' solicitor said: "He needs to get a hold of his alcoholism before it is the end of him.

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"He seems to go through spells where he is not drinking and not offending."

A sheriff said at the time that Cummings 'does not give two hoots' about court orders. 

It was revealed that the consistent lawbreaker was hit by a train in 2019 and has 'nearly lost his life already as a consequence of his alcohol use'.

Prior to the vehicle vandalism, Cummings threatened to 'smash a shop manager's face in' after being asked to leave a store he was banned from in the Oak Mall on March 23.

Mall security were contacted as Cummings was acting in an aggressive manner towards staff at Boots and he was eventually escorted out.

He also admitted breaching a bail condition requiring him to sign on at a police office.

Sheriff Jamieson told him: "You have a history of offending throughout your life.

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"You are a considerable disturbance to the community.

"You have got to try and make up for what you do in life."

As well as the compensation order, Cummings was given an ASBO banning him from entering the Boots store for 12 months.

He was admonished on the bail breach offence.