A MAN fed up living among "social problems" in his community threatened to stab his neighbour and murder the man's dog.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard John McCormick ran out of his flat with a knife after the dog had been barking "incessantly".

The incident happened around 6.40pm on March 17 last year when the victim was out walking his dog and stopped to talk to a friend.

Depute fiscal Katie Bell told the court how the man then heard a male voice shouting from behind him "I'm going to f***** stab you and murder that f****** dog."

He turned round and recognised McCormick, who was his neighbour.

The victim noticed he had a knife in his possession and asked him to drop it but McCormick continued shouting and swearing.

The man was frightened and grabbed his dog and began to back away.

Other neighbours heard what was happening and called the police.

Officers found the 59-year-old at his flat where he admitted going outside with a "sharp, pointed thing" but said it was not a kitchen knife.

However, police retrieved a black kitchen knife from by the front door of the property.

McCormick, who the court heard had been drinking during the day, was arrested and taken to Clydebank police station.

The court heard the witness was unwilling to provide a signed statement as he was too shaken by the incident.

McCormick's defence brief said: "There are several points in the report that may case the court some concern, such as telling the social worker he was unrepentant.

"He does regret becoming involved in this offence.

"It also states he has criminal friends and is supportive of crime.

"He takes issue with that.

"The fact this happened suggests he does not support crime."

The lawyer added: "He is living in an area plagued by various social problems.

"He basically lost his temper and picked up the knife in a moment of madness.

"He had no intention of harming this gentleman."

The solicitor said McCormick, from Darnley, deals with neighbours turning up at his door for cigarettes, people coming and going from his close at all hours and drug dealing locally.

He added: "The dog was barking incessantly and he saw red and went out with a knife.

"He accepts it was not the right way to deal with it."

Sheriff Allan Findlay said: "I'll not have people running around frightening other people with knives, do I make myself absolutely clear?"

McCormick was hit with a community payback order with 12 months of supervision and was tagged, keeping him at home from 7pm to 7am for six months.