A KELTY man who threatened repeatedly to kill his ex-partner and her family has been told to stay off Facebook when he drinks.

Garry Mackenzie, 52, formerly of Main Street, and now of Granton Mill Crescent, Edinburgh, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He previously admitted that between December 24 and February 18, at Burnside Place, Kelty, Victoria Hospital and elsewhere, he engaged in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his estranged wife by repeatedly sending her text and social media messages containing abusive and threatening remarks, adopted an aggressive manner and made threats repeatedly to kill her and members of her family, placing her in a state of fear and alarm for her safety.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia said the couple had split up after five years of marriage.

Later, Mackezie began sending her messages, including saying he wished she would die.

She became frightened at being at home in case he turned up there, added the depute.

Another message stated: “You’re going to get f***** up”. He later contacted the emergency services saying he was feeling suicidal.

He made threats to kill his wife and was taken by police to the Victoria Hospital.

He continued to make threats when at the hospital saying: “If I get out of here, I will kill her. I will definitely kill her if I get out.”

When police later told him about the messages he had sent, Mackenzie said: “Facebook and drink don’t mix.”

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said his client was a first offender and had been drunk when offending.

“He was emotional about the break-up of his marriage. There’s no ongoing relationship between them.”

Sheriff Alastair Brown told Mackenzie: “You’re right to recognise that alcohol and Facebook don’t mix, as we often see in this court.”

He imposed a community payback order with one year’s supervision and a non-harassment order for two years.