Man from Greenock threatened to CASTRATE any boyfriend his former long-term partner might have

Duncan Keith, 43, issued the warning during a mobile phone call which was overheard by the woman.

It landed him in court after he was questioned by police and charged.

Prosecutor Pamela Flynn told the town's sheriff court: "The accused and the complainer had been in a relationship for 19 years and they separated in July last year.

"The complainer had blocked the accused from her phone.

"A youth received a call from the accused and answered it while the complainer was with him.

"He put the phone on speaker and the accused asked, 'Where was she this weekend? Who was she out with? Does she have a boyfriend?'

"The youth refused to answer and the accused then stated, 'If she's got a boyfriend tell her I'll chop off his privates and leave them in the front garden for her'."

Fiscal depute Ms Flynn added: "On hearing that, and in fear of what the accused might do next, police were contacted.

"The accused was traced and interviewed and when the allegation was put to him he said, 'I don't know, I can't remember'."

Keith, of Rankin Court, had been placed on deferred sentence to be of good behaviour after pleading guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner last December.

His lawyer, Aidan Gallagher, said: "The accused says there have been no further difficulties.

"He appears to have been somewhat intoxicated and his judgement was affected.

"One would hope that this has been an isolated matter."

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre admonished Keith.