Paisley man is accused of ranting at cop

A Paisley man spent his birthday in the cells of a court after being accused of calling a police officer “a fa**ot.”

P ro s e c u t o r s claim Andrew McDowall, of Barr Place, hurled the insult at PC Douglas McGlynn in Durward Way, Paisley, earlier this week.

He was arrested and spent his birthday in the cells at Paisley Sheriff Court ahead of appearing in the dock.

When he appeared in the dock McDowall, 34, denied behaving in a threatening or abusive way by shouting, swearing and uttering homophobic remarks.

Pro s e c u t o r s a l l e g e McDowall was aggravated by “prejudice relating to sexual orientation” by acting in the way they claim.

Defence solicitor Amy Spencer represented McDowall during a brief court hearing, where he pleaded not guilty to the single charge against him.

He was released on bail and is due to stand trial in March, with a pre- trial hearing scheduled for February.