A BARRHEAD thug who phoned 999 to threaten cops and then throttled one officer has been spared jail over his abusive behaviour.

Alexander Peacock, of the town’s Rufflees Avenue, dialled emergency services on March 11 this year and made threatening remarks.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard that the yob shouted and swore during the call.

He then went on to assault Constable Derrick McCracken when the officer visited Peacock’s home.

Peacock placed his hands around PC McCracken’s neck.

He admitted his guilt over the offences when he appeared in the dock last month.

Peacock pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by making the call, as well as assaulting PC McCracken while he was on duty.

Two other charges – that Peacock had assaulted another officer by attempting to punch him and had resisted three officers by kicking out at them and struggling violently – were dropped by prosecutors.

The facts of those incidents  were not aired in court and Sheriff Kevin Duffy adjourned matters for background reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing.

As he did so, the sheriff told Peacock: “In view of the offences you’ve committed and your previous convictions you have, the case will be adjourned for a criminal justice social work report to be prepared.”

When 42-year-old Peacock returned to the dock last week to learn his fate, he was spared a prison sentence.

He could have been ordered to spend as long as 12 months behind bars for the offences but was instead placed on a Community Payback Order (CPO).

The CPO will see him supervised by social workers for the next 12 months and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the benefit of the community.