A COWDENBEATH man was back in the dock for causing a disturbance on the way to hospital, just days after he was placed on a community payback order.

Greg Black, 27, of South Street, appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on September 23 at his home, during the course of a journey to the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, in a police vehicle and then on a journey to Dunfermline police station and at the station, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by repeatedly shouting, swearing, acting aggressively, uttering threats of violence and repeatedly spitting at a police officer.

Depute fiscal Rebecca Clark told the court that police were called to Black’s home in response to a noise complaint.

Black told officers he was feeling depressed and they offered to take him to hospital.

Initially, he agreed but then threatened the police with violence and was handcuffed.

Black went on the tell officers: “I hope you f****** die, your family and children” and also “I will f****** find you and f*** you and your family up”.

Defence solicitor Peter Robertson said: “He got very upset when he found out he was going to end up at the police station.” He added his client had shown remorse for his behaviour.

Black had appeared before Sheriff Charles MacNair last week for a string of offences committed at the Victoria and Stratheden hospitals, as well as assaulting three police officers.

The sheriff commented: “He was remorseful last time as well but he’s behaved in a very similar way.”

He warned Black against any further offending and told him: “You’re extremely close to an immediate custodial sentence.”

The sheriff imposed a six-month restriction of liberty order.