AN IRVINE man who threatened to shoot and stab police has escaped jail.

James Ziro, of Kirkgate, made the threats in The Auld Brig pub in the Rivergate Shopping Centre on September 23.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard how the 40-year-old attracted the attention of bar staff just after 5.30pm when he began shouting and swearing.

Other people within the pub made it clear to staff that they were upset with Ziro’s behaviour.

This prompted the manager to speak with Ziro, who works as a kitchen assistant.

But this did not deter an enraged Ziro from continuing with his abusive behaviour. Police were contacted but Ziro told the officers he was going to stab and shoot them after being handcuffed.

Ziro was taken to Saltcoats Police Office but it was not an entirely smooth journey.

He continued to shout and swear en route to the police station. Ziro was not cautioned and charged due to his state of intoxication.

Ziro appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week and pled guilty to the offence.

His solicitor Mrs Dawson told the court how Ziro had been planning to go on a night out to Glasgow with his partner but missed his train from Irvine.

He instead had a drink with his partner and shared bottles of wine at the pub.

Mrs Dawson added that Ziro claimed he was angered by staff removing he and his partner’s drinks from their table despite not being finished.

He was supposedly asked to leave but did not want to because he still had drinks on his table. However, the court heard how Ziro did not dispute this and “very much regrets” his behaviour.

He was fined £300.