A PRESTONPANS man's attempt to rid the streets of the town of "drug dealers" has ended up with him appearing in court.

Colin Dow, who was accompanied by three Alsatian dogs, approached two men he perceived to be involved in the drugs trade at the town's Hawthorn Road.

Dow, who has since moved to East Linton, shouted "heroin dealers, get off our streets" at the stunned pair before threatening to call the police on them.

One of the men told the 55-year-old that his behaviour would be recorded on a mobile phone if he continued, but Dow failed to cease his tirade by shouting: "Get those junkies off our streets".

A complaint was made to the police by the men at the time and Dow, formerly of the town's Middleshot Square, was located and arrested by police officers about one week later.

The bizarre tale was heard at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Monday, where Dow appeared in the dock and pleaded guilty to an amended charge of behaving in a threatening manner on March 14 last year.

The court also heard that during the incident, which took place at about 9.20am, Dow became involved in a verbal spat with an 84-year-old woman which ended with him calling her an "old scumbag".

Defence solicitor Mary Moultrie said that the incident arose as her client went to collect his pension from the local Post Office and had come across the group.

Ms Moultrie said: "Mr Dow takes great issue with drug dealing in and around Prestonpans and has to some extent attempted to address that. This is what he was doing."

The lawyer added that Dow had since moved from the area and was receiving adequate medical treatment which she said has seen a dramatic improvement in his behaviour.

Sheriff Donald Corke told Dow: "This is all very strange so I will need to get a report and you will need to see a social worker about that."

Dow replied: "My Lord, I would like a conversation with you but I know it's not allowed."

Sheriff Corke told him: "What you can do is have a conversation with the social worker."

Dow pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and uttering offensive remarks at Hawthorn Road, Prestonpans, on March 14, 2016.