Man’s alleged threat to his brother

A man threatened to blow up his brother’s house with his family inside, a court heard.

Khaled Mousa Hashim, 50, is also accused of calling his sister-in-law and niece whores during a sinister phone call.

It is claimed he hit out during a row with Zafer Hashim.

He is on trial at Paisley Sheriff Court where he denies making grossly offensive and menacing remarks.

Prosecutor Colin Wilson insisted Hashim had uttered “one of the worst things to say to a woman in Arabic”.

He said: “This is a case where the comment used referred to ‘ bitch’, ‘prostitute’ and ‘whore’.

“This term, when it was used, was couched in terms as to be grossly offensive. “It was an intended insult. “The accused was embroiled with his brother on the phone.

“All sorts of words were exchanged at that point.

“The threat was not meant as a joke, nor did it seem to be one. “This case is all about context. “There was an explicit threat and that was to blow the house down.”

Hashim, formerly of Castle Gait, Paisley, is alleged to have made the comments during a phone call on March 22.

He had been arguing with his brother when the conversation was overheard by his sister-in-law.

The court heard, during the spat, he branded the women ‘qahba’ – Arabic for whore.

Police were called by Hamish after the

Defence lawyer Peter Galletly insisted the threat to attack the home was not taken seriously and it was his client who called cops.

He said: “One has to take into account the context.

“It was a throwaway comment. “No-one phoned the police. “Nobody reported the fact this apparent threat had been made.

“The police were called by the accused’s side.

“Although these people may well have heard such a comment, they have not taken it to be a credible threat.”

Mr Galletly argued his client had no case to answer.

He urged the court to throw out the claims.

Sheriff Susan Sinclair dismissed the calls and insisted she would hear from defence witnesses.

She said: “The brothers were arguing – this was not a pleasant chat.

“The argument appeared to be quite significant.

“There is no dispute these comments were offensive, but the point is were they grossly offensive?”

Hashim, of Parksail Drive, Erskine, has been ordered to return to court on July 11.

The trial continues.