A man who called his partner a 'skank' threatened to blow up a summer house after brandishing a brick when he was locked in the garden.

Alan Jones, 46, admitted threatening and abusive behaviour at the address in Canal View, Saltcoats on July 7 this year.

When Jones, of St Bride's Place, Irvine, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week the court heard he was remorseful for causing fear and alarm.

The procurator fiscal depute said: “The accused and complainer had been married for seven years residing together at the locus.

“At 8.30pm the complainer, accused and son were within the locus when the accused began to question the son on whether the complainer had been with other men that day.

"This resulted in an argument, calling her a 'f***ing skank’.

"The complainer's friend attended the locus and the accused continued behaving in an aggressive manner and being abusive to the complainer, repeatedly calling her a ‘skank', ‘a cow’, and shouting she ‘wanted pumping off wee boys’.

“The complainer was embarrassed by the conduct of the accused and ushered him to the back garden then locked the door.

“The accused continued shouting and picked up a brick threatening to throw it at the window.

“Another friend attempted to calm him down but efforts made to calm him were unsuccessful.

“He then picked up a gas canister threatening to blow up the summer house in the garden.

“Police attended and immediately traced the accused in the summer house. He was placed under arrest and conveyed to Saltcoats police office.

“The accused repeatedly referred to officers as ‘c***s’ when dealing with them and ‘corrupt cops’.

“He was formally cautioned and charged."

Defence solicitor Scott McLatchie said: “It is a very regrettable set of circumstances.

"There was concern Mr Jones in the author's [social work] report was minimising the act. He regrets if that impression was given, he has been nothing but remorseful."

Sheriff Paul Reid said he didn't wish to impose a financial penalty on the Universal Credit claimant and 'make a bad situation worse'.

Sheriff Reid said: "I'm obviously concerned about the behaviour towards your partner and an 11-year-old child witness. There has to be some punishment.

"You will be on a community payback order with two years of supervision. It will require you to engage.

"I will impose 100 hours of unpaid work and I'm required to make a non-harassment order for 12 months.

"Clearly having to listen to the narrative was uncomfortable, so hopefully that's had an effect as well."