A THUG who chased after police while spraying a can into the air claiming it was pepper spray has been jailed.

Aaron McDonald punched holes in walls, repeatedly spat, and told one officer that he would “slash your wife and kids” during the incident in June.

The 29-year-old was brought from custody to a hearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday, July 30.

McDonald had previously pleaded guilty to shouting, swearing, damaging garden furniture, threatening his uncle with violence, and repeatedly punching and damaging walls at a property in Laggary Road in Rhu on June 24.

He also admitted shouting, swearing and threatening two officers, spraying a substance into the air, repeatedly spitting while in a police vehicle, and threatening police and their families with violence.

Fiscal depute David Gallagher told the court that around 8pm on June 24, McDonald’s mother had called her brother, McDonald’s uncle, because she was concerned at her son’s level of drunkenness and the disturbance he was causing.

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The uncle made his way to the home and found McDonald drunk, shouting and swearing, kicking plant pots and garden furniture in the front yard.

Mr Gallagher said: “Whilst alone with the accused, his uncle stated that he was there to protect his sister and nephew.

“McDonald shouted and swore and threatened to hit him. He punched various holes in the walls - one through the wall into the living room.”

At 9.13pm there was an anonymous call to police, who arrived minutes later.

They saw the main door open and met McDonald standing at the stairs in the hallway.

He immediately became aggressive and began to shout and swear and threaten officers, shouting “f*** off” and “f*** off you pr***”.

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Because of the aggression, one of the officers drew their CS spray, to which McDonald replied: “Put your pepper spray away. OK, I will get my pepper spray.”

Police retreated to the safety of the road due to the threat of having a firearm.

McDonald went outside shouting “pepper spray” while holding an item in the air and emptying the can into the air. He then threw it towards officers.

He put his hands above his head and was handcuffed. But while being taken to Clydebank police office, he spat and threatened officers again, shouting: “I will slash your wife and kids.”

McDonald’s solicitor told the court her client had been drinking too much and taking drugs and “found himself in an argument ”.

She said: “He is remorseful and appreciates the impact his conduct had on his family, neighbours and police.

“He has apologised. He understands his issue is with alcohol. His record doesn’t make for great reading.”

His lawyer added that McDonald had last been in trouble in January 2021 and before that, May 2019.

Sheriff Frances McCartney said the course of conduct made custody appropriate. She jailed McDonald for eight months, backdated to July 2.