A "PERSISTENT" offender who assaulted his sister and threatened to kill police officers has been jailed for over three years.

Christopher Taylor, 30, of Don Road in Dunfermline, appeared for sentencing for numerous offences, including breaching court orders, after being remanded in custody on September 22.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard that at the Turkish Pride takeaway in Pilmuir Street in January, he had fallen asleep on the ground.

After staff failed to wake him they called an ambulance.

A paramedic was able to stir Taylor but he then began shouting and swearing at the emergency worker and squared up to him.

The police were called and when officers arrived he threatened to kill them.

In another incident he assaulted his sister.

She and her partner had been attending her grandmother's funeral when she came home to find her brother sleeping at the front door.

She asked what he was doing and after appearing to be unsteady on his feet, he walked on to the street.

Again, his sister questioned him and he reacted by attacking her.

A neighbour saw the incident and contacted police. When they arrived he had already run off but was later traced.

The court was told of other incidents where Taylor was aggressive to other family members after drinking to excess, and for abusive behaviour to police when being restrained.

Taylor previously admitted that on August 17 at Dunfermline Police Station, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear or alarm in that he did shout, swear, make appropriate comments and threats towards police officers.

On July 26 at St Andrews Street, Dunfermline, he assaulted his sister, seized her by the neck and body, threw her to the ground and fell on her, all to her injury.

On March 7 at Montrose Crescent, Lochore, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear or alarm in that he did act in aggressive manner, brandish a bottle, cause damage to a cabinet, shout and swear at police officers and cause damage to a police vehicle.

After being granted bail in November 2016 and subject to a condition that he did not enter Don Road, he did on March 6, 2017, without reasonable explanation, fail to comply.

He also previously admitted that on January 25, of this year, at Turkish Pride, Pilmuir Street, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear or alarm by shouting, swearing, acting in an aggressive manner towards a paramedic who was assisting him and threatening to kill police officers.

And on October 24, 2016, at Don Road, he resisted and obstructed two constables in the execution of their duty, tensing his body, refusing to walk and attempting to kick the officers.

Defence solicitor Sarah Meehan said: "Mr Taylor appreciates that there is a realistic prospect of custody for these matters.

"There seems to be a theme from excessive consumption of alcohol and he knows he needs to address his problems. Maybe putting him in custody will not solve these problems when he is released.

"He has no recollection of assaulting his sister, he had been out drinking because of his grief over his Nana's death.

"He was woken up by his sister but did not realise it was her. They still have a good relationship."

Sheriff Craig McSherry told Taylor: "Your alcohol counselling was going well and then you just removed yourself off it.

"You have been a consistent and persistent offender most of your adult life and you have had plenty opportunity to comply with orders.

"You have a particularly nasty attitude towards police officers."

Taylor was jailed for 38 months.