A KILWINNING parent who sent a series of abusive messages to his stepson threatening to smash his games console with a hammer after he failed to turn up for a school class told a court the incident was just a “bad day at the office”.

The man admitted repeatedly sending the boy, who was then aged 13, threatening messages via Whatsapp, including telling him he was “f*****g dead” and calling him a “f*****g clown”.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court was told last week that the 41-year-old dad was notified by Irvine Royal Academy in January that his stepson had not turned up to his period six class.

The procurator fiscal depute told last Thursday’s  hearing: “The accused sent numerous abusive and threatening messages to him via Whatsapp saying: ‘You are f*****g dead’, ‘You’re f****d’, ‘You go to your mate’s and your Xbox is getting smashed with a hammer’, ‘You really are the thickest f*****g idiot on the planet’,  f*****g clown’.”

Other messages read ‘Get home now or I’m going to go f*****g ape s**t when you get in, you’ve been warned’, ‘Gonna film me doing it with a hammer and send it to your mates’.

He added: “You really don’t want this video circulating around your school ‘cos your life will be over from sheer embarrassment.”

The man sent a message the next day apologising, but after the boy did not reply to that, or to four further messages, he messaged his stepson again calling him “such a selfish wee boy”.

Police attended the dad’s home in Weirston Wynd on January 26 and he was charged.

Representing himself in the dock, the dad said he was a “parent at the end of my tether” and described the offence as a “bad day at the office”.

He said: “I was having an absolute meltdown. There were so many factors that contributed to it. I don’t speak to my children like that, it is shameful. I regret it and I would like to move on.”

Sheriff George Jamieson fined him £300, including £130 in compensation to his stepson.