By COURT REPORTER

A MAN has been given jail time for launching a tirade of abuse at emergency services workers.

Ross McBride, 27, appeared in the dock at Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing for incident which saw him make racial comments and spit at police and hospital staff who were trying to assist him.

The procurator fiscal depute told the court that officers were brought to the attention of McBride after he called NHS 24 around 11.10pm stating he was feeling suicidal and was about to end his life on November 28, 2016.

The operator immediately sent police to his home address in Whiteinch.

Upon arrival, police found him to be highly intoxicated.

McBride told first responders that he had been consuming alcohol and taking drugs that evening.

He was then transferred to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

During the journey his behaviour became aggressive and he attempted to escape the vehicle.

The accused then spat at the ambulance technician, narrowly missing his face.

Officers applied a spit hood and leg restraints in an attempt to halt his behaviour.

After entering the in the A&E department, McBride called one member of staff a “n*****” before telling officers: “I have black friends”.

He continued his tirade by spitting at a female police officer, leaving spit on her uniform.

Officers then re-applied the spit hood and leg restraints.

McBride pleaded guilty. His defence stated that he had no recollection of the matter.

His charge sheet stated that he obstructed or hindered the ambulance technician by spitting on his body.

He also acted in a racially aggravated manner, by uttering racial remarks, which caused alarm or distress to the police officer attending the incident and assaulted a female police officer by spitting on her.

McBride was sentenced to 218 days in prison, down from nine months.

He was handed another three months jail time for bail aggravations, for committing the crime while on bail.