AN OAKLEY dad said his former partner was in "serious danger" after hearing that she had cleared out some of his belongings.

Ryan Holland responded bizarrely to news that helmets and some tools had been thrown out.

Holland, 40, of Blairwood Terrace, Oakley, previously admitted that between September 27 and 30 at an address in Crombie, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm in that he repeatedly sent by way of social media, text messages and email messages to his former partner, which contained threats of violence and were menacing and abusive.

Depute fiscal Freya Anderson told the court that communication was made between the two parties on September 27 to arrange contact for Holland to see his children.

The accused asked if his helmets and tools along with any belongings of his could be brought along too.

The complainer said that his helmet and tools had gone after having a clear-out a couple of months before.

Holland replied: "You better be kidding".

But after saying she was sorry and explaining that the kids broke the helmets, Holland sent a series of threatening messages including that he was coming to her home.

His ex-partner was frightened by the threats and phoned her dad.

He contacted Holland in an attempt to resolve the situation.

The following day, the complainer's father escorted the children to the accused's and confirmed that the helmets had been damaged and discarded.

On September 30, the complainer received an email from Holland explaining that he needed the helmets back and there would be "trouble" if they weren't replaced.

He said that his former partner knew how much the items meant to him, there would be "repercussions" and she was in "serious danger".

Defence solicitor Roshni Joshi said her client had a previous domestic conviction from 2017.

"He indicated that she knew how to get to him and did get to him," she said.

"He takes full responsibility for this offence.

"His behaviour was triggered by an emotional response.

She explained that the situation was more complicated than the couple being separated for two years.

Sheriff Charles Macnair said: "This case involves you sending a number of threatening messages to your former partner.

"You have been separated for about two years and you somehow thought she was responsible for keeping your belongings.

"When you learn that had not happened, you made threats of violence and it's to be noted that you have a record that includes violence.

"You have a previous conviction for a domestic aggravated offence.

"If you commit further offences it's likely that you will serve a custodial sentence."

A sentence of 190 hours of unpaid work was imposed and a non-harassment order preventing Holland from contacting the complainer for two years.