AN AUSTRALIAN man spent almost a month in Scottish jail and missed his flight home after going on a wrecking spree, throwing road signs at cars and drunkenly assaulting police officers.

Seliano Melekiola was visiting his wife’s family in Dalry when he got drunk and went on a rampage in the town, ripped up road signs and threw them at passing vehicles and passing cyclists, actually managing to hit some.

During the shocking incident the 47-year-old, who is from Victoria in Australia, also assaulted two police officers.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard that the towering Australian lunged at officers, hitting them, grabbing one by the body and lifting him in to “a bear hug” before throwing him against a glass door.

The shameful scenes unfolded on June 15 this year in Sharon Street, after Melekiola had been drinking.

Defending him, Brian Holliman told the court his client couldn’t even remember what he had done.

He said: “The first thing to say is that he has no recollection of this incident but he wishes to apologise. He had been due to return to Australia in July but because of his situation it’s cost him in excess of 5,000 Australian dollars, because of rearranging flights and loss of earnings.

“It’s Mr Melekiola’s first experience of Scottish courts but it is not an experience he wishes to repeat.

“It was his first visit here and his wife’s first visit to see her family in eight years. It’s been a memorable trip back to Scotland for the wrong reasons.

Sheriff Iona MacDonald told Melekiola he had been held in custody since the appalling incident because she was fearful he would skip the country.

She said: “Your behaviour was excessive. Members of the public phoned the police because they were so concerned about the situation.

“The police officers who came to arrest you ended up with bruising to his arms and sprained hip. As I understand it you lifted them up in a bear hug.”

“It’s been an expensive lesson Mr Melekiola. My concern was that you would flee the country, given that you had a passport, and would go back to Australia.

“I’m sure your family and wife’s family have brought it home to you.”

He was fined £1,600 and released from custody to return to Australia.