A 70-YEAR-OLD man who kicked two police officers has been spared jail.

James Campbell, of Birch House, Prestwick, assaulted PCs Shannon Henderson and Stuart Lawrie on February 27.

The OAP also appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court last week on a charge of being abusive after threatening to kill cops on Prestwick’s Min Street.

Depute fiscal Katherine White described how he started lashing out in Ayr Hospital while he was drunk.

PC Henderson got kicked on the leg at the hospital while PC Lawrie was booted in the arm when Campbell had been taken to the town’s police station.

Lawyer Glenn Davis said his pensioner client reacted badly when police tried to help him while he was intoxicated.

Mr Davis said: “He does drink — there doesn’t appear to be an off switch. He gets himself into these conditions.

“He describes his behaviour as inexcusable.” Sheriff John Montgomery said: “I’m not going to send a 70-year-old man to jail for swearing at the police.” He told Campbell: “You know as well as I do that this behaviour towards the police is totally unacceptable. It can’t continue.” He fined him £300.