A VALE woman who made vile comments about the death of a cop’s children has avoided a jail sentence.

Donna Paterson, of Alexander Street, Alexandria, previously pleaded guilty to shouting, swearing, uttering threats of violence to two police officers, kicking and striking the door of a police vehicle, uttering offensive remarks, repeatedly coughing and stating she had Covid-19 and threatening to cough on the cops.

The incident happened on May 5, 2020 in North Street, Alexandria and en route to and at Clydebank police office.

The 34-year-old appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday for sentencing.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry made a point of repeating the threat Paterson made to the officer to register his disgust.

Paterson told the cop: “I hope your f*****g weans die of cancer in your arms.”

The sheriff said to Paterson: “Words do not often fail me, but they came close as to what my reaction was to how you behaved towards police officers.

“The fact you were drunk is no excuse.

"I’m in no doubt today your offending would justify a custodial sentence.”

Defence solicitor Scott Adair said the deletion of an allegation that Paterson was spitting while making the Covid threats “might just be enough” to avoid a prison term.

Though he decided not to jail her, Sheriff Hendry warned Paterson that any breach of a new community payback order would probably lead to the order being revoked and a prison sentence imposed instead.

She was put under social worker supervision for two years and must undergo any alcohol counselling or treatment as directed.

Paterson must also do 200 hours of unpaid work in the community within the next 12 months.