A YOUNG Greenock man who hurled abuse at police officers has been warned he could soon be spending 'the best years of his life in prison' unless he puts a stop to his drunken offending.

A sheriff court hearing was told 23-year-old Dylan Hill's record is 'littered' with crimes relating to alcohol misuse - with the most recent incident involving offensive and derogatory remarks towards police in July.

Sheriff Colin Bissett told Hill it is 'entirely up to you' whether he improves his behaviour and stays out of more trouble.

Procurator fiscal depute Fergus Warner told the court that officers were carrying out door-to-door enquiries in Roxburgh Way on July 12 in relation to a separate matter when they spoke with Hill at his door at around 6pm.

The fiscal depute said: "They observed him to be intoxicated and confrontational with officers.

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"Police concluded their enquiries and left but then became aware of shouting and swearing from an open window.

"Officers returned to the flat close through to the communal gardens. They observed the accused with three others hanging out of windows causing a disturbance.

"The three others returned inside but the accused remained irate, shouting obscenities at officers."

Hill was arrested after continuing to shout and swear when police entered the property.

The repeat offender, of Banff Road, was also charged with acting in an aggressive manner, shouting violent threats and wielding a bottle at a man in Nicholson Street in April 2021.

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He was further charged with breaching court-ordered bail curfews on two separate occasions.

Defence solicitor Gemma Elder told the sheriff: "It will come as no surprise to your lordship that he was intoxicated."

The lawyer added: "He is on a list for a rehab placement in Nottingham. He is particularly keen to take up this placement because all of his offending behaviour comes from alcohol abuse.

"His record is littered with problems of alcohol misuse.

"If treatment is not offered to Mr Hill he will be in this cyclical pattern of behaviour."

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Sheriff Bissett said: "You have picked up quite a record for someone of your age and usually the next stage is to go into custody for a very long time.

"That means people spending the best years of their life in prison.

"However, those who compiled the [background] report believe that you have the right attitude to not go to prison and turn your life around.

"It is entirely up to you."

Sentence was deferred until December 6 for Hill to be of good behaviour.