A RACIST who claimed a doctor at an addiction recovery service in Greenock 'shouldn't be in this country' has been spared a prison sentence.

Angus Tait, who has 20 previous convictions, has been placed on an electronic tagging order despite a sheriff stating that his latest offence passed the custody threshold.

Tait, 50, made the abusive remarks about a medical worker at the Wellpark Centre - home to Inverclyde health and social care partnership's alcohol and drug recovery services.

Procurator fiscal depute Maria Murdoch told a sheriff court sentencing hearing: "At 2.45pm, he entered requesting painkillers for a long-term injury.

"He was denied these and became aggressive.

"He was advised that he should speak to his GP and make an appointment with a doctor, who he replied was 'Nothing but a P**i' and that 'he shouldn't be in this country'.

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"He was informed this type of language would not be tolerated and was asked to leave."

Prosecutor Ms Murdoch added: "However, he continued to state 'Don't tell that P**i to phone me again'."

Tait left the building and was later traced, cautioned and charged by police in March last year, the court was told.

His solicitor, Gerry Keenan, referred to a car accident which 'abruptly ended' Tait's career and said he suffers from seizures, regularly attends a neurologist and requires pain relief.

Mr Keenan said: "He lives in mental health accommodation.

"Although he says that he cannot remember this incident this behaviour is wholly unacceptable.

"Use of racially aggravated language is unacceptable."

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The lawyer said Tait was given a two-year community payback order in July for a separate offence which occurred after the racially aggravated abuse.

Tait was said to be 'engaging' with the court directive, other than it being 'interrupted by a period on remand'.

Stating that she would 'step back' from imposing a custodial sentence, Sheriff Sukhwinder Gill condemned Tait for the 'derogatory, demeaning' comments.

The sheriff said: "You are a man of 50, with 20 previous convictions including numerous convictions for analogous offences.

"The [criminal justice social work] report indicates you have no recollection of this offence. I find it difficult to comprehend that."

Tait was sentenced to a restriction of liberty order meaning he will be tagged and must remain within his address in Regent Street between 7pm and 7am each night for the next six months.