Man avoids jail sentence over threat to slit niece’s throat

A Fife man who threatened to slit a relative’s throat before plunging a kitchen knife into the floor has escaped being jailed.

John Maxwell appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour at an address in Glenrothes on April 9.

The 50-year-old, who the court heard had issues with alcohol, made the threats against his niece during a phone call with a social worker who called the police.

After arriving at the property, the police entered and found a kitchen knife sticking out of the floor boards in the living room.

Depute fiscal Nicola Henderson told the court: “The knife had been put in with some force as it was difficult to extract.

“The accused told officers he wanted to rip his niece’s head off. He was arrested and taken to Kirkcaldy Police Station. He was clearly under the influence of alcohol but was not intoxicated and was able to have a conversation with officers and make some sense.”

The court heard how Maxwell had now moved to Burntisland to get away from his niece whom he had a “troubled” relationship with.

Passing sentence, Sheriff James Williamson said: “I am going to give him another chance.

“Mr Maxwell, I am going to place you on a community payback order with supervision for 18 months.

“You must engage with DAPL (Drugs, Alcohol & Psychotherapies Limited) and or anger management as directed by your supervising officer. This will be reviewed in three months time. Any breach of the order will see you sentenced to a term in prison.”