A 35-year-old Alloa man, who threatened to kill a police officer and his children during a disturbance in a hospital, has avoided a jail sentence.

In the dock at Alloa Sheriff Court was Scott Burns, of Whins Road,

He previously admitted that on December 23 at the Forth Valley Royal Hospital, he shouted, swore, made threats of violence and homophobic remarks.

He also admitted that on October 18 at Greenfield Street, Alloa, he acted aggressively, shouted and made an abusive remark towards police officers.

Depute fiscal Sean Iles said at around 2pm police had taken Burns to hospital and he was sitting in the reception area of accident and emergency when the threats were made.

Burns shouted: “You’re lucky these cuffs are on otherwise I’d flatten you.”

He ranted: “I’ll f*** you up. I’m going to kill you and your weans.”

Defence solicitor Kelly Howe said: “He has a long, entrenched pattern of substance misuse.

“He was under the influence at the time of the offences and he’s ashamed of his behaviour.”

He had been on a drug treatment and testing in 2019 but failed to complete it.

Sheriff Neil Bowie told Burns: “In the normal course of events, I would simply send you straight to jail.”

However, he decided to give Burns another opportunity to do a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) with a review every month.

He warned Burns, “If you’re not making satisfactory progress, I will jail you.”

The first review will take place on April 25.

Sentence was deferred on the earlier case until the same date for good behaviour and to track the DTTO.