A drunk has been branded a racist after shouting abuse at a policeman in Swindon including calling him "Scottish".

Simon Simms, 28, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour because he used the term 'Scottish' when he was shouting at PC Robert MacLeod.

It means that rather than magistrates being limited to a maximum six month sentence, Simms could be jailed for up to two years.

The court was told that Simms was being arrested for other matters on August 28 when the fracas developed with officers.

His solicitor, Rob Ross, said "The racially aggravated part comes because when he was arrested one of the officers was Scottish, a PC MacLeod.

"When he was being arrested Mr Simms used expletives against him. He called him a Scottish whatever. He accepts that would make him guilty of the offence."

Earlier Simms, of Seagrey Court, Penhill, also admitted drink driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance and taking without consent on September 18.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report and a psychiatric report to be prepared and released Simms on bail.