A thug who threatened to stab another man with a sword has been jailed.

James Andrew Fitzpatrick sent an electronic message to a man on September 9 that was grossly offensive or of an obscene or menacing character in that he threatened to stab him with a sword.

Fitzpatrick was also found in possession of heroin at Saltcoats Police Station on the same date.

The 52-year-old appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week and pled guilty to two charges. His not guilty plea to a third charge was accepted.

Fitzpatrick, of Springvale Street in Saltcoats, was imprisoned for 18 weeks.