Spence (19), whose address was given as c/o Flat 0/2, 8 Columshill Place, Rothesay, had previously pleaded guilty to committing a breach of the peace inside his mother's house in the village's Duncan Street on October 15 - and to breaching a condition of bail when he committed a similar offence outside the same house on October 24.

Fiscal depute Tom Smyth told the court that the first disturbance took place after Spence was taken to the house in a heavily drunken state by island police officers.

"After the police left, he came out of his bedroom and began to shout a series of obscenities," Mr Smyth said.

"He then began to throw items about the house, shouting and swearing as he went. When warned that the police might be called, he said "I'm not f***ing bothered, I'll take them all on"."

Police were called and Spence, who was on licence at the time, was cautioned and charged.

He appeared from custody at Greenock Sheriff Court the following day to plead guilty to the breach - but after being released on bail, he was back at his mother's address on October 24, again in a severely drunken state.

"He began kicking the front door, banged on windows and kicked the rear door," Mr Smyth continued.

"He appeared heavily under the influence of alcohol, something which police confirmed after they were called to the scene."

Jim Hannay, defending, said Spence's mother would be happy to have her son back in the house - if he could cut out his drinking.

"If he had something to do in his life it would certainly help keep him out of trouble," Mr Hannay said.

"He seems to have got into the wrong company - he drinks when he is angry and goes on to make comments which he can't remember afterwards.

"Perhaps a straightforward custodial sentence is not going to get us anywhere as far as Mr Spence is concerned. There seems to be an indication that probation with a community service order may start to address his anti-social attitude."

But Sheriff John Herald told Spence that in the circumstances there was no alternative to a prison sentence.

"Your background report tells me you have a lack of respect for the justice system," the sheriff said.

"That's fair enough, Mr Spence - but there are certain consequences of that attitude."

Spence was jailed for a total of 122 days.

See also:

Forthcoming Rolls of Court for Rothesay Sheriff Court - from the Scottish Courts Service website