A DUNFERMLINE man threatened to kill a Fife Council worker after he lost his temper when staff repeatedly disturbed him.

Andrew Dean was drinking in his home with a friend when local authority staff knocked on his door three times looking for other neighbours in the block.

He was so rattled by this that he visited council offices in Abbeyview and shouted threats of violence to staff before he was forced to leave.

Dean, 56, of Macbeth Road, previously admitted that on May 25, at Fife Council Local Office, Abbeyview, he did behave in a threatening or abusive manner, utter offensive remarks, shout, swear, utter threats of violence to assault and kill a council officer then in the course of her employment.

Dean appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last Wednesday.

Depute fiscal Katrina Dalrymple explained that Dean went into the Abbeyview council office at 4.05pm and spoke to the receptionist, demanding to see another council worker.

He was advised that the staff member he was looking for was not in but he continued to demand to see the lady.

“ He called her a f***ing b****,” she said.

“Another worker overheard this and asked the accused if he was speaking about her, he said yes, also saying she was a f***ing b****.

“The accused was told the police had been contacted and he said he would wait.

“He was told to leave but replied: 'I am going to jump over the counter and f***ing wring your scrawny neck. If I ever see you on the streets I will kill you'.”

After Dean left, staff locked the door of the office and police then came to speak to the accused, who was still outside.

In a previous hearing, defence solicitor Ralph McCran said: “Mr Dean’s peace had been disturbed that afternoon and he wanted to complain about the council employees.

“He accepts he insulted staff members there but as way of background he had a history of issues with the council officer, where that has been an unauthorised disclosure of his personal details.

“He had been drinking and it’s no excuse. He is disappointed to see that reports say he has a problem with alcohol as he doesn’t believe he drinks a lot.

“He has had three heart attacks this year and he is not supposed to be drinking on his medication.”

When sentencing, Sheriff Charles Macnair said: "This type of offending at a person's place of work is serious. They are entitled to work without the threats made against them.

"You have two convictions for assault causing injury although they are historic."

Dean was placed on a restriction of liberty order for six months as well as a supervision order for two years requiring him to take alcohol counselling.