A REPEAT offender serving more than 40 months in custody has been spared further jail time for assaulting a police officer.

Kevin Barr, 29, appeared from custody to face sentencing for two matters at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, March 14.

He had previously been found guilty at trial of two violent offences against constables, which took place just days after Christmas in 2017.

The complaint states that on December 28, at an address in Sauchie, he assaulted a police constable by pushing him on the body and punching him on the head to his injury.

It also states that on the same occasion he resisted or obstructed two constables in the execution of their duty by struggling violently with them.

He also appeared for sentencing for a breach of bail conditions by failing to attend court on June 18 of last year.

On Thursday, the court heard that Barr is currently serving a total of 43-months in custody for a number of previous offences.

In mitigation, solicitor Kelly Howe said: "He is an individual who is quite a complicated character in terms of mental health difficulties – those are severe.

"He has ongoing issues with drug misuse, and he has at times not had full engagement with support services."

She went on to claim that Barr suffers from paranoia, and added: "He is currently serving a lengthy sentence and is on the cusp of being a long-term prisoner.

"He is trying to look to the future in terms of his release, and is very anxious about his period in custody."

Sheriff David Mackie claimed Barr's release date was too far away to consider any supervision period, and claimed his hands were tied in what sentence he could pass.

However, he chose not to extend Barr's term of imprisonment any further.

He said: "Your current situation leaves the court with little option but a custodial sentence."

He then imposed sentences of six months' imprisonment for each offence against police constables, which will run concurrent with each other, and with his current sentence.

Barr was admonished for the breach of bail conditions.