A MAN on a holiday getaway in Arrochar ended up threatening to kill police officers when he became aggressive.

Paul Friel, 48, who appeared for sentencing on November 9, previously pleaded guilty to acting in a threatening and abusive manner to his partner and two police officers.

Fiscal depute Abigail McKenna told the hearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court that at around 11pm on May 10, 2021, a receptionist at the front desk of the Arrochar Hotel noticed Friel attempt to support his partner standing up as she appeared heavily intoxicated.

However, when she collapsed on a nearby seat, he began to aggressively shout “you’re a useless c***”, “why am I with you?”, “you’re a waste of space” and “how am I supposed to deal with this?”.

Ms McKenna told the court that Friel was heard calling his partner a “cow” and stuck his middle finger up at her. His partner became upset and began crying.

The hotel’s night porter was then contacted and attempted to de-escalate the situation. As Friel went to the bathroom the staff member tried to speak to the woman to check she was alright.

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Later the couple entered the lift to head to their room. However, when exiting the lift Friel became aggressive again.

Ms McKenna said the hotel manager went to the room where they observed Friel shout “you’re a c***”, “you’re going to get me in trouble yet again”.

When the manager attempted to speak to him he responded “who the f*** are you” and “call the polis you c***”.

Police were contacted and on arrival noticed Friel’s behaviour was still erratic.

When police arrested him he began throwing himself into the chairs in the hallway with his upper body and attempted to position his body away from police in a dead weight motion.

He then kicked out at the ground when he was ordered to stand.

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Friel was placed in a marked police van and tried to kick the van door. As the van made its way to Clydebank police station he was then heard shouting “f*** you p****s, I’ll f*****g murder you”.

Friel’s solicitor said: “[The couple] went away on a weekend and consumed far too much alcohol.

“I cannot stress just how embarrassed he is at the manner which he behaved himself.

“He has made significant progress since this occasion.

“Clearly his level of intoxication has contributed to his conduct and he takes responsibility for that. From his record of previous convictions he was not involved in anything like this manner until his mid-forties.”

Friel’s solicitor mentioned the ‘positive’ nature of his previous long-term relationships, to which Sheriff Frances McCartney responded: “Clearly things have drastically changed.”

Addressing Friel, Sheriff McCartney said: “Your behaviour was utterly disgraceful. Not only did you cause harm to [your partner] but you also caused harm to the hotel staff and police.

“At your age you should be utterly ashamed.”

The sheriff handed Friel, of Cleland Street, Whitburn a community payback order to complete 140 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and with 12 months of social work supervision. A six-month non-harassment order was also imposed.