A ROSYTH father who called the police for help when he was drunk ended up trying to hit an officer with a bottle.

David Bradley, 36, of Mossbank, quickly apologised after the incident but Sheriff Charles Macnair said his response to officers was “unwarranted” and jailed him for four months.

Bradley previously admitted that on May 23 at Adamson Crescent, Dunfermline, he assaulted Constable Scott Cluness, then in the execution of his duty, brandished a bottle at him and repeatedly attempted to hit him with it.

Depute fiscal Jennifer Graham explained at Dunfermline Sheriff Court that Bradley had contacted police at around 7.50pm and reported that he had been left at the address with his three children when he was drunk.

“He was found there with his children and he instructed the officer to take the children and ‘f*** off’,” she said.

The police became concerned for his welfare when he refused to engage with them, but thereafter he picked up a bottle and banished it at PC Cluness.

Bradley attempted to swing the bottle at him and he was then arrested. When charged and cautioned he replied, “I’m sorry.”

Defence solicitor Roshni Joshi said: “He apologised very quickly for what he knows was unacceptable.

“The accident was described as an emotional breakdown for him, amid the background of a breakdown in his relationship, caring for his children more than he thought he would whilst managing employment and losing his home.

“He remains in full-time employment and has never committed an offence of this nature before.

“He cannot say why he acted in the manner that he did. He acted on impulse and there was no planning.”

Sheriff Macnair said: “The police were there to help you because you had called them, but your response to them was quite unwarranted.

“Your description to the social worker saying this was a cordial incident to me sums up your attitude to this behaviour.

“You may have regretted it afterwards but there was certainly a threat.

“You attempted to hit a police officer with a bottle, that is a very serious offence.

“Police assault is an aggravated offence. Police officers are entitled to do their job without being assaulted.

“You have a record for violence.

“A conviction last year involved an assault on your partner with a knife and this time your weapon was a bottle, both of which can cause significant injuries.

“I am satisfied the only appropriate sentence is imprisonment.”