A ROSYTH man threatened to kill his former partner after authorities contacted him for child maintenance.

Dean Jeffries took umbrage after receiving a letter from the Child Support Agency (CSA) and said he would "gas" his former partner, "tie bricks" on her ankles and "burn" her house down.

Jeffries, 32, of Albert Street, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He previously admitted that on March 22 at an address in Cowdenbeath, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner which was likely to cause fear or alarm in that he did repeatedly contact his ex-partner by telephone, shout, swear and act aggressively towards her and utter threats of violence towards her.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia explained that the complainer and accused had been in a relationship for six years but separated in August 2010.

Their son lives with his mother.

"It would appear that the ongoing relationship between the separated parties deteriorates when the accused has been drinking, according to the complainer," Mr Kapadia said.

Prior to the incident, the court heard that Jeffries' former partner had contacted CSA for child maintenance.

"That appeared to upset the accused," Mr Kapadia added.

Jeffries subsequently left a voicemail saying: "You are a p**** just like your ex-husband. I cannot believe you phoned CSA.

"I will come and gas you, you stupid stiletto wearing c***."

He said they should go swimming and added: "I will tie bricks on your ankles, I will burn your house with you in it.

"You are a f***ing Dalmatian, you are a f***ing dog.

"See when I first saw you at school I followed you because you were stinking of s****."

When the complainer listened to the message she contacted the police immediately.

Police were taking a statement when Jeffries called again. Regarding the CSA the accused said he would refuse to pay.

He told the complainer that he was going to tell her partner something at the football and she asked at this point if he was threatening her.

He replied: "I am threatening you".

When Jeffries was told that the police were listening to the call, he compounded matters by shouting and swearing.

Defence solicitor Alexander Flett said his client had fairly significant mental health and alcohol problems.

"He does not put forward this as an excuse for what happened and was apologetic," Mr Flett said.

"He does not remember the content of the call but he does accept he called.

"Simply speaking, he had a good relationship with the complainer. Somewhat out of the blue, he received a letter from the CSA and that is something that he reacted to very poorly."

There had been a gap in Jeffries offending for seven or eight years but he has now appeared in court twice this year.

Sheriff Craig McSherry placed him on a community payback order with 12 months supervision and 100 hours of unpaid work.