A RELAPSED alcoholic shouted he would kill police officers when they spoke to him on Dunbar High Street.

Jason Stewart had blood on his face and hands when he initially entered an unnamed store on the town’s main thoroughfare last year.

He bought a lighter and left, but a short time later a member of the public told shop staff that Stewart’s behaviour was “causing concern” outside and he had become “unpredictable”. The 28-year-old then returned to the shop and a mobile patrol was called out to attend the incident. He was later traced to the High Street area and was said to be “clearly intoxicated” and suffering from a head injury.

When the officers enquired about his injury, Stewart became abusive and told the officers to “f*** off” and “I will kill you”.

He was subsequently taken to Dunbar Police Station to be cautioned and charged but he refused any medical help at that time.

He was later transferred to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment to the head wound and stayed in overnight.

Solicitor Jonathan Campbell, defending, said his client was a recovering alcoholic and following “some family difficulties”, had relapsed. Mr Campbell added that the part-time mechanic had been left “embarrassed about the incident” and he had abstained from alcohol since the incident.

Stewart, of Lammermuir Crescent, admitted to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by repeatedly shouting, swearing and uttering threats of violence at High Street, Dunbar, on November 5 last year.

Last Wednesday’s hearing saw Sheriff Frank Crowe defer sentence to June 23 for Stewart to be of good behaviour.