WHEN ambulancemen were sent on a mission of mercy to tend to a man reportedly unconscious in the street, they got a shock when they went to his aid.

For drunken William Forbes responded by kicking out and was so agitated that the paramedics had to alert police.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard how police officers were subjected to the same level of abuse when they arrive at the scene in Back Road, Bridge of Weir, on April 10.

Again, Forbes lashed out and kicked one of the cops on the leg.

The 25-year-old was arrested and taken to Paisley’s Mill Street police HQ. Once there, he quietened down and apologised to officers for his boozy behaviour.

When Forbes, of Loch Road, Bridge of Weir, appeared shamefaced in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court, he admitted assaulting, obstructing and hindering the paramedics in the execution of their duty and assaulting Police Constable Colin McDonald by repeatedly kicking him.

Depute fiscal Peter Galletly said that the ambulance service had responded after receiving a call from a worried witness reporting that a male was lying apparently unconscious in the street.

But Forbes kicked-off and lashed out at the mercy crews when they attempted to waken him to ascertain his true position.

Defence agent Charlie McCusker said his client conceded that his behaviour was wholly unacceptable when those attending had only been trying to help him.

Forbes had been drinking as he had been struggling to cope with the tragic death of a nephew who drowned in Loch Lomond two years ago.

Sheriff George Kavanagh deferred sentence on Forbes, telling the accused that due to the serious nature of the charges, he would require background reports and a community service assessment.

“It is a serious matter when this kind of conduct involves the emergency services,” explained the sheriff.

Forbes was ordered to return to court for final disposal on Thursday, July 8.