TWO men face sentencing after an incident outside a pub in Saltcoats sparked an assault on police.

Justin Smith, 21, of Donaldson Avenue, Stevenston and Dean James McCallum, 22, of Middlepart Crescent, Saltcoats, will be sentenced next month after appearing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week.

The court heard how there had been a disturbance outside The Flask in Saltcoats at around 12.40am with police on the lookout for those who were involved.

At 12.55am a large group of males, including the two accused, were seen and officers thought that Smith had been involved with the earlier incident and stopped and took a hold of him.

Smith ran away, but the officers restrained him. The group then started to shout at the police.

Two police officers and Smith ended up in a doorway surrounded by the group and the officers requested back-up.

The group kept on shouting and this encouraged Smith to struggle. One officer had a cut thumb and the other a staved thumb.

Other officers at the scene noted McCallum shouting and pointing. He was warned but continued to shout and was arrested.

More officers arrived and they attempted to handcuff Smith but he continued to move his arms about. The police had difficulties due to his strength.

He was taken to the police van and when officers were putting him inside he attempted to headbutt one constable before kicking him on his shin.

Presiding Sheriff Alastair Watson said: “These are serious matters, each in a different way, especially for you Mr Smith.

“I absolutely don’t tolerate violence towards police officers. All options are open to the court.”

Sentence on both was deferred until July 12 for social work reports and restriction of liberty order assessments.