A GOUROCK man who threatened to kill police officers and their families during a Hogmanay incident in the town has been hit with fine of more than £1,000 after flouting a community-based deferred sentence.

Ross Mills, 21, failed to engage with social workers before claiming that the department was repeatedly closed following his conviction for challening officers to fight and repeatedly punching a patrol car nearly two years ago.

He previously admitted to a string of offences, including resisting, obstructing or hindering six officers by violently thrashing his arms and body and struggling with them.

Mills appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court for a review of the structured deferred sentence he was previously placed on.

(Image: Newsquest)

Sheriff James Varney noted that this conflicted with details provided by the social workers, saying he ‘not done enough at all’ to comply with the order.

The court heard that police attended Shore Street at around 7pm on December 31, 2022 following reports that Mills was under the influence of alcohol, being ‘aggressive’ and threatening to jump into the water.

Officers attended and saw Mills raise his arms in the air in a ‘challenging manner’.

He walked towards a police vehicle as the constables exited and struck the car with a clenched fist.

Mills later began ‘violently resisted’ arrest and told police: “If I had a sword, I would stab every one of you.

(Image: Newsquest)

“I will kill yous and your family. I will remember your face.”

He was not formally cautioned and charged at the time due to his ‘aggressive behaviour’.

Defence solicitor Paul Cook noted that his client was appearing as a first offender and asked that he be given one further opportunity to comply with the structured deferred sentence.

Sheriff James Varney rejected this and instead ordered Mills to pay a fine of £1,300.

This was reduced from £1,500 for the initial timing of his guilty plea.