A MAN bit a police officer after he was picked up for shouting and swearing at members of the public, a court has heard.

Martin Argylan, 24, of New Street, Duntocher, appeared in the dock at Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to a string of offences.

The Procurator Fiscal depute told the court that the accused was spotted by police officers on patrol in the city centre.

He was was near to the Savoy Centre on Sauchiehall Street around 11pm on December 16 2016 where he was shouting and swearing at members of the public.

As the police approached him, he became aggressive and shouted “F*** you c****” .

Officers then placed him within a cell van to transport him to a police station.

While in the van, Argylan told officers that he had taken eight paracetamol tablets earlier in the evening.

Officers then began transporting the accused to the Royal Infirmary Hospital to be treated.

While on the way to the hospital, he began shouting and swearing, spitting and lashing out at police.

A spit mask was applied.

Following their arrival at the Accident and Emergency department, officers became aware that the accused had managed to remove the mask and manoeuvre the handcuffs to the front, enabling him to spit on the face of one officer.

The Procurator Fiscal depute added that he bit one police officer on the hand but did not pierce the skin.

Argylan’s defence agent said that his client was failing to cope with the end of three year relationship at the time of the incident.

Instead of contacting his ex, he decided to drink a large quantity of vodka and take himself into the city centre where he began “acting in an incoherent and irrational manner”.

He added that his client regrets his behaviour and is very remorseful.

The accused charge sheet read that he had behaved in a threatening or abusive manner which later led to him assaulting two police officers.

Argylan was ordered to complete 170 hours of unpaid work within the community within six months as an alternative to custody.