A HELENSBURGH man hurled drunken abuse at police after warning them he was going to self-harm - and told one officer she'd "stand no chance" when he got hold of her.

Liam Cairns, of Mossend Place, shouted, swore, repeatedly struck his head against the wall of a police van, repeatedly threatened violence and repeatedly made offensive remarks to police.

The 29-year-old committed the offence at his home address and on a journey from there to the police station in Greenock.

His offending began around midnight on May 13, 2023.

The fiscal depute said Cairns contacted police saying he was going to self-harm.

Officers found him a short time later outside the former Logie Baird pub in James Street, where he was intoxicated.

Cairns repeatedly shouted and swore and was told he would be arrested.

He told one officer: "I will f***ing throttle you, you cow."

He also said: "You will stand no chance when I get my hands around your neck."

When he was put in a police van, he struck his head off the wall and was taken to Greenock police office.

He continued to be abusive, making comments such as "you're a**eholes", "you're scum" and "you want me to go mental c**to?"

When cautioned and charged, he replied: "F*** off."

Cairns' defence solicitor said her client had mental health issues and was supported in court by a social worker.

Sheriff Frances McCartney put him on a structured deferred sentence, with a review set for August 27.

She told him: "The social work department are there to help you."