A DUNFERMLINE man made threats to a female, including saying he would damage the grave of her dad, who had died recently.

As a result, Michael Yule, 21, of Clunie Road, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that between April 1 and July 26, at Hall Street, Lochgelly, he engaged in an abusive course of conduct towards a female by repeatedly, excessively and persistently contacting her via text message, social media platforms and phone despite being asked to stop.

Having then been blocked on all means of communication by her, he made threats of violence towards her and her family and made threats to damage her recently-deceased father’s grave.

Depute fiscal Lauren Pennycook said there had been an online friendship between Yule and the female for a short period in 2015.

Yule then got back in touch with her in 2021 via Facebook but after a few months he became “obsessive”.

He would try to contact her throughout the day and night which ended up in threatening messages being sent, the court was told.

These included: “I’ll smash your dad’s grave to pieces” and “I’ll put your brothers in the ground”.

Defence solicitor Peter Robertson said his client had significant mental health issues but “appreciates his behaviour was unacceptable”.

Sheriff Wylie Robertson imposed a community payback order with 12 months of supervision.

He commented: “This was sustained and threatening behaviour over a considerable period and the court takes a serious view of that.”