A HELENSBURGH man threatened to stab workers at a fish and chip shop in the town – after complaining that their chips were too small.

Ross Taylor's bizarre outburst was the last in a series of threatening or abusive actions in the town over the course of several hours.

Taylor, of James Street, appeared in the dock for sentencing on Thursday after pleading guilty at a previous hearing to two counts of threatening or abusive behaviour, and one charge of destroying or damaging property, in the centre of Helensburgh on September 19 last year.

Fiscal depute Emma Thomson told Dumbarton Sheriff Court that a witness, bringing his two children home from school, had parked outside the Mini-Mart in West Princes Street at around 3.45pm and had become aware of a male – Taylor – who was under the influence of drink or drugs and was shouting and swearing at random people as they passed while holding an object in his hand.

Ms Thomson said: “The witness didn't want to provoke the accused, but at this point the accused began shouting and swearing, shouting 'come on, let's do this now, I'm going to stab you'.

“The accused swung the object and struck the witness's car with it.

“The witness was concerned for his children, so backed off, but the accused continued to shout and swear, shouting 'let's go like soldiers'.”

The witness made his way towards West Clyde Street and lost sight of Taylor; police were contacted but they were unable to find him.

The chip shop incident occurred in West Clyde Street at 6.30pm that same day.

Ms Thomson said: “Two witnesses were working at the locus when the accused entered and made his way to the counter.

“The accused told one witness he had been in the previous evening and wanted a refund.

“He was told he wouldn't be getting a refund. He was shouting and swearing, saying 'your chips are f*****g tiny', 'I'm going to f*****g stab you', and 'I'm going to f*****g stab you to death'.”

Taylor then left the scene; police were contacted, but again they were unable to find him.

Taylor was eventually traced at 11.30am on September, when he was arrested and taken to hospital in Paisley before being conveyed to Clydebank police office.

Ms Thomson said the damage to the witness's car in the West Princes Street incident was estimated at £800.

Taylor's solicitor said: “He has been told if he continues to drink he will die.

“He has stage 3 cirrhosis of the liver, but has nothing pending since this incident.

“He voluntarily attended residential rehab over Christmas and New Year. He has been sober since January.”

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry expressed concern over Taylor's condition in court, and asked his agent whether he had been drinking before coming into the dock.

Taylor's solicitor said his client had “various health difficulties” but was adamant he had not drunk alcohol that morning, to which the sheriff replied: “It's an easy mistake to make given the way he presents.”

Taylor's solicitor said there was “very little” he could add to Ms Thomson's description of the incident, saying: “He accepts responsibility for his conduct and accepts that his conduct was appalling.

“He knows the people involved and knows only too well the direct link between his drinking and his offending behaviour.

“This appears to have been a relapse. Since the incident he has made great strides to try and address these difficulties.

“Given his record, custody is a real option, but I would submit there are alternatives available.”

Sheriff Hendry deferred sentence on Taylor – who is already the subject of more than one community payback order – for three months and told him to be of good behaviour.

An updated social work report was also requested, along with a progress report on his community payback orders.

Sheriff Hendry told Taylor: “You are doing, or have been doing, very, very serious harm to your head and body with over-consumption of alcohol.

“I don't know if that can be rescued. If you drink again there are serious doubts as to whether you can survive.

“If you are doing the right things in the next three months you can expect not to go to prison.

“But if the opposite applies I will be sending you to prison – if you are not complying with your CPO or if you are drinking alcohol.”