A MAN who became abusive to police officers in Lochgelly escaped a custodial sentence this week on the condition he doesn't drink alcohol.

Sentence on Callum Burns (22) was deferred for supplementary reports and Sheriff Charles Macnair agreed to allow him bail as long as he doesn't consume alcohol and consents to a breath test if and when required to do so.

He had previously admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in Bank Street on 31st July last year by shouting, swearing and acting in an abusive manner.

He also plead guilty to behaving in a threatening manner by shouting swearing and lunging towards police officers at a Glenrothes takeaway on 14th January this year and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at Castle Stores in Burntisland on 27th January 2017 by uttering a threatening remark towards a shop employee and attempting to seize a bottle of alcohol from her which caused her to be pulled towards the counter.

Depute Fiscal Dev Kapadia said police officers were travelling along Bank Street when they saw Burns, of Ellon Road, Kirkcaldy, stumbling towards them, waving his arms and shouting incoherently.

The police officers stopped and asked him what was wrong and Burns opened the back door and climbed into the police van.

"Thereafter he became aggressive and started shouting and swearing at the police offices," said Mr Kapadia.

Burns' defence solicitor said his client's problem has been alcohol. "He had been drinking for a number of days prior to this," he said. "He had been at a party and had been taking drink and drugs. He thought people were pursuing him and were out to get him and that simply was not the case."

Sheriff Macnair said he was prepared to defer sentence for reports to see if any disposal "other than a significant custodial sentence" was available.

Ordering him to stay off booze, he warned Burns: "If you breach the bail condition, then do not expect to be at liberty."