A MAN who threatened to rape the children of police officers after being arrested has been jailed.

George Gordon, 51, of Adamson Crescent, Dunfermline, made the threats after he had been drinking on what was the anniversary of his sister's murder.

Appearing for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday, he had admitted that on September 27 last year, at a house in Craigleith Avenue, Inverkeithing, and in the course of a journey between there and Dunfermline Police Station, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner and shouted, swore, made abusive and derogatory remarks, and issued threats of violence and threats of sexual violence towards children.

He also, on September 24, failed to appear at Dunfermline Sheriff Court without reasonable excuse.

Depute fiscal Freya Anderson said police had received a report about the accused and when they arrived, he was intoxicated and started to shout and swear at both of the officers.

He made various threats including: "I know where you stay" and "I am going to come to your house and f*** your bairns" and after being placed in the police van, continued with the threats. He told them: "I am going to kick you in the throat", "I am going to headbutt you"and that he was going to "rape your bairns".

Solicitor Alexander Flett said the date of the incident was the anniversary of the murder of his client's sister. "He had consumed alcohol with others then it is fair to say his behaviour caused concern because of concern that he may harm himself, essentially," he said.

Sheriff Alastair Brown jailed Gordon for four months.

"I recognise that you have a sad history and that you are entitled to sympathy in relation to that," he said. "I am sympathetic in relation to that but there is no reason why police officers should be subjected to threats and when people start threatening the family members of police officers, even if it is bluster, I will take it very seriously indeed."