A HUNT has been launched for a Dumbarton woman who failed to show up for a court hearing after admitting making racial remarks while in a police car.

Kirsty McCurley was due to be sentenced at the town's sheriff court on Friday after she pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in three police vehicles on the same day.

The 32-year-old had previously admitted behaving in a way which was likely to cause fear and alarm during journeys from Main Street in Alexandria to Dumbarton police station, from the police station to the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) in Paisley, and from the RAH to Greenock police office.

In addition to shouting, swearing and threatening violence, she also made racial remarks during the last of the three journeys, all of which took place on November 29.

McCurley, of Graham Road, Brucehill, was also due to be sentenced on Friday after she admitted assaulting a constable at Dumbarton police station by striking her once on the body on the same day.

But she failed to appear at Friday's hearing, and a warrant for her arrest was issued by Sheriff Simon Pender.

Defence lawyer Scott Adair said: "I have no explanation for her non appearance."