A GREENOCK lout who admitted trying to spit on a retail worker at the town's Oak Mall shopping centre has been given unpaid work hours as punishment for the 'disgusting act'.

Brian McGhee, 53, pleaded guilty to threatening or abusive behaviour, acting in an aggressive manner and attempting to spit at the man on August 10.

Procurator fiscal depute Flora Napier told the sheriff court that the worker just managed to avoid contact with the saliva by moving his head out of the way.

Ms Napier said McGhee and other individuals had become involved in an incident at the retail complex before he committed the offence.

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Solicitor Aidan Gallagher said McGhee has 'a significant cognitive impairment due to his lifestyle and from suffering blows to his head over a number of years'.

The lawyer added: "There is no doubt it is a disgusting act.

"He submitted a plea at the first opportunity after appearing from custody."

Sheriff Neil Kinnear told him: "I am sure you recognise now that is not appropriate behaviour."

McGhee, of Lyle Street in Greenock, is a three-time blade offender.

He was jailed in 2017 after taking a six-inch kitchen knife into Greenock Job Centre.

The court was told at the time that it was as part of a bid to 'resolve a benefits issue'.

McGhee was given 100 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months for his latest offence.

He was also placed on a restriction of liberty order for six months, meaning he must stay at home from 7am-7pm each night.