A MAN kicked off over police ‘harassing’ a homeless man in Glasgow city centre.

Joseph Stevenson, 48, appeared in the dock at Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing after admitting to two offences.

He admitted that he did resist, obstruct or hinder two police officers then in the execution of their duty on Argyle Street on March 11, last year.

The offence happened under the Hielanman’s Umbrella section of Argyle Street.

Stevenson accepted that he did tense and trash his arms out, and lash out with his legs. He also attempted to escape while being lawfully arrested by the police officers.

He also admitted to shouting, swearing and uttering threats.

The Procurator Fiscal depute told the court that it was around 10.40pm when police officers were engaged in conversation with the man.

Stevenson approached the officers and attempted to ask what was happening. He became hostile towards the police officers and said he had a right to know what was going on. The police officers asked him to go away but he refused to do so.

He committed the offences he plead guilty to and eventually a cop car came to Argyle Street to transfer him to Stewart Street police office in Glasgow city centre.

His defence agent told the court that Stevenson, who is employed as a courier driver, got himself involved in a situation that he should not have.

She said: “His position at the time was that police were harassing a homeless man and he intervened.”

She added that the married dad-of-two was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence and this did effect his judgement.

Stevenson, of Woodside Gardens, Coatbridge, was handed a Community Payback Order for the offence. He was told to complete 135 hours of unpaid work in the community within nine months. This was reduced from 150 hours because he plead guilty at the earliest opportunity.