AN IRVINE thug who was caught with a knife after threatening to kill his neighbours has been jailed.
John Reid pleaded guilty to charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and knife possession when he appeared in the dock earlier this week.
Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard that the repeat offender "thought they were talking and laughing about him" when the incident took place on December 21 last year.
At 1am that day, three witnesses had been standing outside his then home on Moorfoot Way, prosecutor Gemma McKechnie said.
They saw the 44-year-old's partner "trying to force the door open with a broom" at this time, but "nothing untoward happened".
It was after this that Reid came out from his address and started shouting at the group outside.
He was heard to say "I'm going to kill yous" as well as calling one person a "Duntonknoll w***e".
Reid added "you will all get stabbed" and stated “roll about with me, I go to the death” before police were contacted and he returned inside.
The offender later re-appeared, with witnesses observing that he was holding his hands behind his back.
He then stood at his front door and continued to shout before turning, revealing a knife within his waistband.
Police then arrived and apprehended Reid, who they noted to be under the influence, on the nearby roadway.
He was searched and a kitchen knife with a 6.5-inch blade was recovered.
Defending, solicitor Jack Blades noted that Reid had been on licence following his early release from a prior sentence at the time of the offence, but had no other matters outstanding.
The lawyer added: "He was doing his best to avoid trouble. On the day of the offence he went into town and met old plaintiffs and he took alcohol and drugs."
Mr Blades said that Reid's diagnosis with PTSD, as well as his intoxication, played a role in his behaviour.
"He believed these neighbours were talking and laughing about him," the solicitor added. "He is fully aware that a custodial sentence may be inevitable."
Sentencing, Sheriff Murdoch Mactaggart said: "This is the second time you have committed offences while on early release."
He then ordered Reid to return to custody for 141 days, the unexpired portion of his previous sentence.
The Irvine man will serve a further six months behind bars.
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