A MAN was almost run down by a bus during a violent frenzy in Irvine town centre.

Sozzled Christopher Watson, of Scott Road, ran amok in the middle of the road on High Street on March 14.

The 31-year-old was armed with a broken beer bottle challenging passers by and a team of police officers to fight.

And it was revealed that Watson's solicitor was on the scene moments before the incident to persuade his client to go home.

Watson also embarked on a similar rampage on March 5 in Caldon Road. 

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard how the earlier incident occurred at 2.20pm where police receive a report of a shirtless Watson "causing mayhem", according to the fiscal.

Members of the public flagged down a police car and officers found stripped to the waist.

A clearly agitated and heavily drunk Watson was seen challenging members of the public to a fight.

Watson repeatedly approached parked cars, blocked the path of oncoming vehicles as well as running towards, striking and chasing other vehicles.

He was arrested and taken to Saltcoats Police Office.

The March 14 incident occurred at around 7.40pm, once again a drunk Watson was seen running around the town centre.

Watson was spotted on CCTV walking with an aerosol, a glass beer bottle and a plastic bottle whilst shouting at passers-by.

It was revealed that after running on to the road, Watson was almost run over by a bus in Townhead.

Watson then smashed the beer bottle on the ground, shouting "Come on then!" to members of the public and police.

Due to his increasingly aggressive behaviour, Watson had to be sprayed with mace before being taken to Saltcoats Police Office.

Watson appeared from custody last month and pleaded guilty to the offences.

Defence solicitor Simon Brown revealed then to presiding Sheriff Shirley Foran that Watson, a man with a lengthy criminal record, has a long-running difficulty with heroin.

Mr Brown said Watson had further problems coming off a methadone programme and returned to abusing alcohol.

The solicitor revealed he actually met Watson in Irvine High Street that evening advising him to go home but clearly Watson didn't take his advice.

Before releasing Watson on bail, Sheriff Foran said: "He needs to say indoors and needs to stay sober."

Watson returned to the dock last week following the production of social work reports.

He was sentenced to one year of supervision and ordered to perform 200 hours of unpaid work.