A DISPUTE over a short-cut through a garden led to a death threat which landed a Dunfermline man back in court.

William McLeod, 43, of Whirlbut Crescent, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on July 22, at Whirlbut Street, Dunfermline, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing and uttering a threat of violence.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said: “The accused was standing outside and shouted at a gentleman he knows, ‘I’m going to kill you’.

“He was wearing a jacket but no shirt and appeared to be under the influence of something. Police were contacted.”

Defence solicitor James Moncrieff said: “He had been walking through a shared yard. It’s a short-cut and there is a dispute about whether he’s allowed to walk through the garden.

“The other person made a few choice comments including calling Mr McLeod a ‘nonce’. He then made some comments back.

“It had not been a very pleasant comment that had been made to him and the other man is also considerably bigger than Mr McLeod.”

Looking at McLeod’s record, Sheriff Derek Reekie asked: “What’s his problem? Why is he behaving in this way?”

Mr Moncrieff said: “He has mental health problems and he had also consumed alcohol.”

Sheriff Reekie deferred sentence until February 13 for McLeod to be of good behaviour.