An Angus man who downed a bottle of spirits after taking a cocktail of medication brandished a knife at his partner in front of children during a Christmas night drunken rampage.
Russell Masson, 33, of Gibson Place, Montrose, had earlier threatened to kill his partner.
He returned to Forfar Sheriff Court on Thursday after pleading guilty at an earlier appearance to threatening his partner, repeatedly shouting and swearing, brandishing a knife and threatening her with violence, placing children who were inside the house and his partner in a state of fear and alarm on December 25 2018 at a house in the High Street, Montrose.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond told the court he again threatened to kill his partner when they returned home and appeared to be in a “total rage.”
She said: “He was seen making his way along the hallway towards her, brandishing a large kitchen knife at head height. “
He was making a stabbing motion and simulated cutting something.
His partner assumed this was aimed at her as he was gesturing he wanted to cut her throat.
Ms Drummond continued: “Once again the accused said he was going to kill her. She was terrified.
“There was a 14-month old who was asleep, and three other children under the age of eight. They were visibly upset by his actions.
“He returned a short time later with several lacerations to his arm saying ‘nobody wants me.”
His partner was in fear he was going to hurt himself and went to the kitchen where he was running a knife across his throat.
She contacted the police and officers found Masson on the common stairwell. He was searched but nothing was found.
When cautioned and charged he said: “I’ll admit it. I stood at the window with a knife and threatened to smash her head in. I was drunk on medication.”
Defence agent Nick Markowski said his client had mental health issues and was on number of anti-psychotic medication and painkillers.
He started to drink at about 1.30pm and whilst he had little recollection, he had been told he had consumed a bottle of spirits.
“He is embarrassed and ashamed this has been in front of his children.
“He wants to continue his relationship and has had significant input from a number of agencies and is engaging with the community mental health team.”
Sheriff John Rafferty sentenced Masson to 120 hours of unpaid work to be completed within six months, banned him from the family home for nine weeks and ordered him to complete a two-year conduct requirement programme.
His case will be reviewed on April 18.
