A RENTON man who has failed to carry out unpaid hours imposed for threatening a woman over the phone has been warned he's likely to face prison if he continually fails to comply.

Craig Winters, 40, of Taylor Street, was given the community-based sentence for sending a message containing threats of violence to the woman at Millburn Crescent in Dumbarton on Boxing Day 2015.

His solicitor, Vincent Cobb, said there was “some concern” over Winters' ability to carry out unpaid work because of his mental health difficulties.

Asked for further details, Mr Cobb said: “his doctor simply says he's suffering from depression and stress.”

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry replied: “If he can't do the work, the number of options open to the court might be diminishing, to the point of a single option. Either he will not do the work, or he cannot do the work.”

Turning to address Winters directly, the sheriff said: “If you genuinely cannot do hours of unpaid work I'm not going to punish you.

“But if you are simply choosing not to, then I'm going to punish you, and the most probable punishment is that you are going to be sent to prison.”

Sentence was deferred until February 28 for a further medical report to be obtained.