A DUNFERMLINE man cut himself with a knife in the street then threatened to kill police officers.

Kris Hunter, 27, of Donald Street, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He previously admitted that on January 2 in Donald Street he repeatedly shouted, swore, used a knife to cut his neck, repeatedly punched the bodywork of a police vehicle, made threats of violence towards the police, repeatedly challenged police to fight and struggled with them.

He also admitted he was unlawfully in possession of a knife.

Depute fiscal Laura McManus said Hunter was living with his girlfriend and there had been an argument after alcohol had been consumed.

At around 8pm Hunter took a kitchen knife with a six-inch blade and left the house.

He went into the street and began shouting and swearing, cutting his neck with the knife while asking for help.

Neighbours heard the commotion and contacted the police.

Before the police arrived, Hunter had put the knife in the house but had then gone back into the street.

He acted aggressively when the police arrived shouting, “Get to f***. I’ll smash you. Don’t even think about it.”

He then struck the bonnet of the police vehicle and said he would kill the officers.

Defence solicitor David McLaughlin conceded his client had an “unenviable” record.

“He had been consuming alcohol and taking Valium that day and says his recollection is somewhat sketchy,” he added.

Sheriff James Macdonald said it was only with “some significant reservations” he had decided against a jail sentence.

Instead, he imposed a community payback order with 12 months of supervision and a six-month restriction of liberty order.