A "Jekyll and Hyde" thug who threatened to slash a man after a drinking session at a block of flats has dodged a jail sentence.
David Hiddleston, 44, was "highly intoxicated" during the late-afternoon argument in a common close in Fendoch Road, Grangemouth, in March this year, Falkirk Sheriff Court was told.
Prosecutor Robbie McDougall said Hiddleston had earlier been "ushered" out of one of the flats in the close after an argument with one of the occupants.
He then threatened to slash and kill one of the men in the flat, Colin Aitchison.
Mr McDougall said: "The accused was observed to be intoxicated and falling into walls and doors. The accused could be heard outside the entrance to the common close.
"He was continuing to shout and swear and utter threats of violence towards Mr Aitchison, claiming that he would kill him and slash him."
Police arrived and Hiddleston was arrested, and on route to Falkirk Police Station told officers, "I'm going to shoot him".
At the police station, he was considered too drunk to be detained, and he was complaining of a knock to the head, so he was taken to the Forth Valley Royal Hospital at Larbert for assessment.
In A&E he became "highly abusive" to police, telling them, "once a w*****, always a w*****".
Told to desist, he said, "I got caged for f*** all, f****** p****, f****** a*******, smelly p****."
The incident occurred on March 16h.
Three weeks later, about 3.00 pm on April 8th, Hiddleston was involved in a further incident in the Charlotte Dundas Court Shopping Precint, Grangemouth.
Hiddleston, who was again intoxicated and was holding a bottle of alcohol, shouted abuse at three 12-year-old girls who were playing together on a ramp at the location.
He told the children, "Get to f***" and "f*** off".
Mr McDougall said: "Due to the accused's conduct, the children became intimidated and sought refuge in a nearby shop and contacted police."
Hiddleston was arrested again, and this time checked over by an ambulance crew due to his level of intoxication.
He told police, "I shouldn't have done it, they're just wee lassies."
However in transit he again became aggressive, shouting at police "you f****** dirty b*******".
Mr McDougall said: "He was continually spitting in the [police van] cage and thereafter urinating, causing the vehicle to have to be taken off the road until such time as it could be cleaned."
Hiddleston, of Cultenhove Crescent, Grangemouth, who appeared by video link from Low Moss Prison, pleaded guilty to three charges of statutory breach of the peace.
Solicitor Kevin Douglas, defending, said: "Sober, he's one of the nicest people you could meet.
"When he drinks he plays Jekyll and Hyde."
Sheriff Christopher Shead sentenced Hiddleston to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work, and placed him under social work supervision for 18 months.
