A 22-YEAR armed forces veteran faces losing his job after he threw a can of petrol over a neighbour's car in a Helensburgh street following a six-year row.

Stephen McEwan, 54, pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour when he appeared in court last week.

But McEwan's solicitor asked for the conviction not to be recorded as her client's career would be ended if that happened.

The presiding sheriff agreed to consider the request – but said it would be an "enormous ask" for him to grant it.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court was told McEwan had lived next to his neighbours in Fraser Avenue for almost 20 years before a dispute over building works six years ago cut off contact.

The court heard McEwan had made six separate reports to police complaining about loud music and nuisance from his neighbours, over a two-year period from July 2015 to July 2017, before the incident with the can of petrol happened on May 25 this year.

Martina McGuigan, prosecuting, said a 20-year-old son in the family next door had friends over for a barbecue while his parents were out, and told the court that throughout the evening there were up to a dozen people in the garden, with music being played through a speaker as well as coming from the living room.

At about 10.30pm, she said, a witness in the living room heard the front door being banged – and looked out to see McEwan next to his neighbour's car.

McEwan was then seen throwing a can of petrol at the parked vehicle, causing the can to burst and liquid to pour out over the car.

The 20-year-old and his friend went out the front door and saw McEwan shouting and swearing and challenging the neighbour to fight.

Ms McGuigan said the witnesses detected a strong smell of alcohol, and of petrol, and police were called.

When the neighbour and his friend went out on the driveway, McEwan said: "That was me."

His son then came out and spoke to his dad, who eventually returned home.

Ms McGuigan then added: "The reporting officer has noted the accused appeared to be extremely sunburnt.

"The behaviour appears to be completely out of character and he has drunk to excess and might be suffering the effects of sun."

Sheriff William Gallacher interjected: "Is this police officer medically qualified?"

"No," replied the prosecutor.

Defence solicitor Judith Reid then asked for the conviction not to be recorded.

She said McEwan had served 22 years in the military, then four years in Afghanistan, and nine years between Babcock and BAE Systems.

Ms Reid also said a letter from McEwan's employers confirmed the effect a conviction would have on his career.

Ms Reid said: "It's fair to say he very much reached the end of his patience. He has certainly never dealt with matters with the neighbour in that way.

"He has been living there since that date and I'm not aware of any other difficulties.

"As a result of this, the family are certain they will have to move home. They don't feel they have any option."

She added: "He is going to lose clearly if the conviction is recorded. All I ask is you don't record a conviction."

Sheriff Gallacher replied: "It's an enormous ask. Entire aspects of the charge flow utterly against that."

He deferred sentence until August 30 for social work reports.

On the question of whether to record a conviction, Sheriff Gallacher added: "I'm willing to allow that to be further considered.

"It's a very, very, very unlikely outcome, but I will consider it."