Threatened to set fire to mental health officer

A Dunfermline man is behind bars after threatening to attack his mental health officer and set fire to her.

Lee Sutherland (25), of Broomhead Drive, appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on 10th June at his home he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by threatening to douse a woman with petrol and set fire to her.

The background was a dispute about Sutherland having access to see a child, the court had been told previously.

He also admitted that on 16th June at the Co-operative store, Shamrock Street, he stole a quantity of alcohol.

Defence solicitor Danielle Varela said of the first offence, “There is an issue of illicit substances. He was struggling with heroin addiction and Valium had also been taken on that date.

“The complainer was his mental health officer. The threats were not made to her directly but she heard about them.

“They were made to another individual. His position is they were empty threats.”

The court heard Sutherland was still on licence having been given early release from a previous sentence.

Sheriff Derek Reekie told Sutherland he had admitted “an alarming and serious charge”.

Sentence was deferred until 16th August for reports and bail was refused.