A WELLWOOD pensioner who told police officers "I will rip your balls off" has been ordered to do unpaid work.

Patrick Lamond, 70, of Ritchie Court, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

He had previously admitted a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at Dunfermline Police Station on March 22 when he shouted and swore at police officers and uttered threats of violence to them.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said Lamond had been detained and while being taken to the charge bar at the police station, he shouted and swore using phrases like, "I will rip your balls off."

She added: "He seemed to be under the influence of alcohol."

Solicitor Aime Allan said her client was 70. "This is his second case before the court – the first offence was at the age of 68," she explained. "He had had a stressful day and did not feel right. He went to a local restaurant or pub and they didn't have his usual lager and instead he consumed a brandy.

"He has very little or no recollection of events. He acknowledges the link between alcohol and offending.

"He is remorseful at coming back before the courts and never wishes to do so again."

Sheriff Charles Macnair placed Lamond on a community payback order requiring him to do 110 hours of unpaid work within six months.

He told him: "Police officers are entitled to go about their business without being threatened and without being subject to abuse.

"It is unfortunate when one sees someone who has previously been of good behaviour suddenly come to court twice within a matter of two years when they are your age but that is down to your criminal activity."