A HELENSBURGH man has been warned that he faces a sentence far worse than any a court can impose if he fails to tackle his alcohol problem.

Ross Taylor, of West Princes Street, appeared in court this week for sentencing on charges of assault and drug possession.

But the court was told Taylor had a history of misuse of alcohol which had reached the stage of becoming life-threatening.

Sheriff William Gallacher told 33-year-old Taylor: “Watching you come into the dock, you have the appearance of a man far older than your years. You have done that to yourself.

“I can't sentence people to death. Only you can do that to yourself, and that's what you will do if you don't engage with the people who want to help.”

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard Taylor had gone to a property in the town's James Street on August 25 last year looking for another person.

A window-cleaner working at the property saw Taylor enter with his hood up and a scarf covering his face.

Eoin McGinty, prosecuting, said the window-cleaner had asked Taylor why he was there.

“The accused shoved him on the body, causing him to fall backwards,” Mr McGinty said, “then punched him on the side of his forehead before calmly turning and walking away.”

At a previous court hearing Taylor had also admitted being in possession of a quantity of cocaine at a flat in James Street on January 18 this year; Mr McGinty said the quantity recovered weighed 15 grams and had been valued at £150.

Taylor's solicitor told the court: “The accused has a history of misuse of alcohol which has reached a chronic stage.

“It has reached the point where his alcohol misuse has become life threatening, and he has not been given a good prognosis by his GP.

“Since his liberation after a period on remand he has taken the opportunity to detox. He is engaing with Addaction [the drug and alcohol treatment charity], but he is clearly in poor health.”

In response the sheriff told Taylor's solicitor: “There is a far greater sanction awaiting him. But he is a young man and has the potential of a life ahead of him.”

Taylor was placed on an 18-month supervision order on each complaint and told to attend whatever treatment and counselling might be required by the order.