A MAN who headbutted a Helensburgh pub worker almost six years ago has again been spared jail  - despite years of failure on community-based punishments.

Robert Cameron's latest brush with a prison sentence saw him retain his freedom because he'd just become a father again.

Cameron attacked the man at the now-closed Logie Baird bar in town on July 21, 2018.

The 39-year-old was given a "final chance" more than a year ago to comply with a community payback order (CPO) imposed for the assault.

The court system has been trying to deal with Cameron's crime for nearly five years without success.

Little more than a month after the initial assault, Cameron returned to the Logie Baird on August 26, 2018 and threatened the same staff member with violence.

In April 2019, he was put on a CPO with social work supervision and told to do 240 hours of unpaid work in the community - as a direct alternative to a prison sentence.

READ MORE: Helensburgh pub attacker gets ‘final chance’ to avoid jail

But Cameron - previously of Grant Street and Williamson Drive, Helensburgh - didn't do the unpaid work.

The CPO was revoked in January 2023 and, instead of a prison sentence, the same order was re-imposed.

But Cameron breached the new order when he hurled verbal abuse at someone else doing unpaid work.

Social workers dismissed him because of his behaviour.

Sheriff McCartney said: "There have been multiple breaches of this order. He has done 124 hours out of 240 - and that has taken almost five years to do?"

"Yes, my lady," replied Cameron's defence solicitor.

"He does suffer from mental health difficulties including anxiety and depression."

The lawyer said Cameron had a new baby, just seven days old, and this was "a wake-up call".

Sheriff McCartney said: "This is an appalling state of affairs that only he is to blame for."

The defence solicitor said: "He is aware he has effectively tied your ladyship's hands today."

The sheriff revoked the CPO, again, and called for updated reports from social workers.

She told Cameron, now of Broomhill, Glasgow: "This is simply unacceptable.

"I will allow you to retain your liberty just now, but you should make arrangements with your family."

The sheriff said a custodial sentence was likely.

A year ago she'd told Cameron: "If there are any further breaches, you will go to custody."

Sentence was deferred until March 26.