A FORMER soldier who brandished a knife at police officers after they had come to check on his welfare was ordered to do unpaid work this week.

Appearing for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Garry Beveridge (58), of John Smith Place, Kelty, had earlier admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at his home on July 21 last year when he swore, gesticulated aggressively, uttered threats of violence towards police officers and brandished a knife at them.

Depute Fiscal, Dev Kapadia, said NHS Fife had contacted Police Scotland after Beveridge had been on the phone to his psychiatrist and said he had a knife at his throat and was going to slit it.

When police attended and explained they were there to check on his welfare, he was immediately aggressive.

On entering his flat, they spotted a military style knife which he put away when asked.

"The accused thereafter started swearing at the police officers," Mr Kapadia told the Court. "He was asked to calm down and was told they were worried about his conduct. At one point, he was asked about his post traumatic stress disorder which appeared to enrage the accused.

"He then ran to the drawer where he had put the knife and pulled it out of its sheath and pointed it at the one of the police officers."

The officers managed to restrain Beveridge who, while being taken to the police van, told one of the police officers "you are dead."

Defence solicitor, Stephen Morrison, said his client had taken part in an anger management course for ex veterans and had already been self teaching in terms of how to cope when feeling under stress.

He added: "Alcohol was a contributory factor and he was assessed as having PTSD after time in the army when he did two tours of Northern Ireland and saw some unsavoury sights."

Sheriff Christopher Shead sentenced Beveridge to a community payback order requiring him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work within six months.