A man who phoned police and threatened to stab an officer to death has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.
Brian Mcleod had held a grudge against an officer who visited him more than a year ago.
The 61-year-old also branded officers “swines” in his rant at call handler Toby Morrison on March 5 this year.
Fiscal depute Marie Irvine told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “At about 1.28pm the member of the call handling team received a call from the accused. The accused referred to officers as ‘swines’ and said he was going to stab one of them to death.
“He further stated he had been waiting for an officer ever since he had been walking about town, and said ‘when I find him I’m going to batter him’.”
Mcleod, of Wallfield Crescent, Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to making threats of violence and threats to kill.
Defence agent Mike Munro told the court: “He is 61 and has led a trouble-free life. The circumstances of this are bizarre.
“When he made the call he gave his name, address and phone number. The accused was seen at his home the following morning.
“Over a year before in January 2016, the accused returned home from a holiday in Tenerife. His brother became suspicious and called the police, who visited him.”
Nothing came of the visit. But Mcleod took offence, and 15 months later, made the threatening call.
Mr Munro added: “He made the call to 101 and said he was going to stab the officer to death. He was detained by police.
“He is no longer working. He has had a good work ethic but he suffered a stroke and now takes medication.”
Sheriff Marion McDonald told Mcleod: “This is unacceptable behaviour, and must have been frightening for the call handler who took the call.”
She ordered him to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work in the community.