Former boxing champion is on the canvas

A former professional boxer who fought for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games threatened to punch police officers and subjected them to a volley of verbal abuse – including vile sexual comments to a female cop.

Intoxicated Ronnie McPhee turned his rage on the officers when they checked on his wellbeing outside a Coatbridge pub on October 1.

The troubled 40-year-old Glenboig native threatened to“break their eyebrows”before later telling a female constable he would“lick her tickly bits”.

Former bantamweight fighter McPhee, from Gainside Road, was just 17 when he represented Scotland at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Canada.

He went on to win five Scottish amateur titles and turned professional in 1996, before his promising career was cut short because of a hand injury after his last high-profile fight in the late 90s.

The disgraced former champion admitted his shameful behaviour at Airdrie Sheriff Court and returned to the dock last week for sentencing after a deferral for background reports.

Procurator fiscal Susan Campbell told the court:“Police were asked to attend the Segton Bar at 6.45pm as the accused was intoxicated and refusing to leave.

“Officers saw him outside, under the influence of alcohol, and spoke with him.

“He became abusive to the police and refused to listen and said they were‘ugly c****’and‘a cow’.

“The accused also told one of the officers he would‘punch him good-looking’.

“In the holding area, he made sexual remarks to the female officer, saying‘I’ll lick your tickly bits’and‘I’ll lick your f****; you’ll have the best time, you wee cow’.”

Defence solicitor Edward Kelly mitigated on McPhee’s behalf:“He is extremely remorseful for his appalling behaviour, which was completely inappropriate.

“If Mr McPhee had kept his mouth shut, he wouldn’t be here today. He has no memory of this, but his comments were extremely distasteful and he is embarrassed by them.

“His partner has given him sufficient warning about his conduct. His record is pretty lengthy but my submission is that custody can be avoided.

“He has a real problem with alcohol and had issues in the past with binge drinking. But Mr McPhee has motivated himself to remain alcohol-free. His recent period in custody has acted as a wake-up call.”

Sheriff Petra Collins then warned McPhee: “I am prepared to make a community payback order with supervision for a period of 18 months, along with a conduct requirement that you attend addiction services to address your alcohol problems.

“This is a direct alternative to custody, so if you breach the order and are brought back before me I will have a custodial sentence at the forefront of my mind.”