A MAN told cops he would "murder their wives" and that he hoped they "die of cancer" during a vile tirade.

Gary Keays was being traced by officers in connection with a disturbance but when they caught up with him he became threatening.

His defence lawyer told the court he was acting out due to be in "a dark place" following family bereavements. 

Depute fiscal Josh Dowie told Glasgow Sheriff Court how, around 3.15pm on October 21, 2021, police were called as a result of a disturbance involving Keays.

Three officers attended at the scene, which was a lane near Nitshill Road.

They were given a description of Keays and the direction he had been seen travelling in and tracked him down.

The 32-year-old immediately began shouting and swearing at police before saying: "I will f****** stab youse."

Cops cuffed Keays, from Priesthill, and put him in the back of a police van.

Throughout the journey to the police station he continued to shout and swear.

He said "I will take your faces off, I have stabbed people before", "I will find out where you stay and murder your wives", "I hope your f****** weans die, you scummy b*******" and "I hope your families die of cancer".

Keays' defence brief told the court: "This was thoroughly reprehensible behaviour.

"His life at that stage was in a very dark stage due to his alcohol intake and the long-term illness of his grandmother, who was a mother to him.

"He has had a lot of trouble dealing with that long-term illness and then with the bereavement."

The lawyer also said Keays had lost a brother who was a year older than him in a "violent and untimely" manner. 

Sheriff Amel Elfallah said: "Your conduct on that day was reprehensible as this was a repugnant and nasty way to deal with police officers simply doing their jobs.

"You have a significant and lengthy record, including violence and disorder.

"I appreciate you have had quite a lot to deal with."

Sheriff Elfallah placed Keays on a structured deferred sentence and he will appear again at court for a progress check on August 1.