A DUNFERMLINE man’s lockdown drinking binge led to abusive behaviour and then a threat to burn his house down when his partner asked him to leave.

Iain Sutherland, 32, of Izatt Avenue, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on April 18, at his home, he shouted, swore, uttered offensive and abusive comments towards children and made a threat to burn the house down.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said Sutherland had been in his house drinking on April 17 through into the next day.

He began swearing and his partner took the children out of the house.

When she returned at 2.30pm, he was still drinking and she called another family member to come and pick him up.

The woman arrived at 3pm but Sutherland became abusive when told to leave, saying he would “burn the house down”, added the depute. The police were then called.

Defence solicitor Gordon Martin said his client was a first offender and works as a self-employed joiner.

At the time of the offence he was unable to work because of the lockdown which caused stress and financial difficulties.

“He doesn’t use that as an excuse. He is ashamed of his behaviour,” added the solicitor.

Sheriff Alastair Brown told Sutherland: “I accept you were under stress but getting drunk is not a great way to deal with that.”

He imposed a sentence under ‘caution security’, rarely used in Scottish courts these days. Sutherland was ordered to pay £100 to the court and if he remains of good behaviour for the next six month he will have the money returned.