A GREENOCK man made derogatory remarks towards a disabled man before threatening to ‘smash’ him during a phone call, a court has heard.

Daniel Donald, 28, pleaded guilty to a single charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner on June 16.

He made a phone call from his Nicol Street home in which he made violent threats and referred to the man using offensive terms.

The charge was aggravated by involving prejudice in relation to disability.

The court heard that Donald had initially called his former partner, with her father later becoming involved in the conversation.

He used derogatory language towards the man, before telling him: “I’ll come and smash you.”

A fiscal depute confirmed that complainer suffers from a 'physical disability'.

He said: “All witnesses were familiar with his voice and the matter was reported to police.

“He was traced by police on June 19.

“He was arrested and conveyed to Greenock, where he was processed un the usual manner.”

Donald made no reply after being cautioned and charged by police officers.

Defence solicitor Gerry Keenan told the court that his client had separated with the woman in the days preceding the incident.

He had contacted her with a view to retrieving an item he claimed was ‘stolen’ from his home.

Mr Keenan said Donald had also been on the receiving end of ‘derogatory terms’ during the call.

He added: “Mr Donald was very concerned at the way he had been treated.

“Unfortunately, he lost control.

“There’s no excuse for that type of conduct.”

Mr Keenan told Sheriff Anthony McGeehan that Donald was recently made subject to a curfew in relation to a separate matter.

Sheriff McGeehan deferred his sentencing to await the completion of this order.

He will return to court on January 8.