A CLYDEBANK man threatened to kill his brother and slit the throats of his children in a family dispute over inheritance cash.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard last week that James Crawford, who lives in Lennox View, left a vile voicemail after a disagreement over money following the death of his grandfather.

The 43-year-old pleaded guilty in March to sending a message that was “grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character”.

Sentence was deferred until Friday, when the court heard a full account of the incident.

The fiscal depute told the hearing: “At 9.50am on August 19, 2019, the complainer was at home when his mobile phone rang. It was his brother calling.

“They discussed a recent family bereavement.

“Later that day the same number called and left a voicemail. The accused was heard shouting ‘I’m going to f*****g slit your throat - I’ll do it in front of your kids and then I’ll slit theirs and make you watch’.

“Police were contacted and the accused admitted to leaving the voicemail. He was cautioned and charged and replied ‘naw’.”

Crawford’s solicitor told the court his client admitted threatening his brother, and justified his actions by saying he was “drunk, angry and felt betrayed” following the death of his grandfather.

The defence solicitor explained: “He [Crawford] had been particularly close to him [his grandfather] and there had been an understanding that the estate would be split five ways among the family members.

“Two of them decided to deal with it themselves and they eventually split it two ways.

“The total was £38,000, and the accused had been expecting a fifth of that, but received nothing.

“He had been drinking heavily and hoped to get a reaction out of his brother.”

Sheriff William Gallacher responded: “What on earth sort of reaction was he expecting?”

The solicitor continued: “That just goes to show the level of intoxication he was under. He got a reaction but not the one he was expecting.”

Describing the case as a “nasty offence” which would warrant a custodial sentence, the solicitor said Crawford has “always accepted his guilt” but he had now “put the money side of things behind him” and has moved on with his own life.

He added: “After the incident he saw his brother in the street, but just kept his head down. As far as he is concerned, he no longer has a brother or sister.

“He has remained out of bother since committing an offence in 2013. He still has issues with alcohol; he is a man who has had problems with drink since the 90s.”

Sheriff Gallacher replied: “The capacity to be so venomous to a family member raises the question of what he would be like to a stranger.”

Addressing Crawford directly, the sheriff said: “Your behaviour was simply appalling.

“In order to get someone’s attention you threaten to kill them and their children. That is utterly contemptible.

“The fact that you have become so estranged from your family is a catastrophe. You never know when you might need them.”

Issuing a community payback order with a requirement to be under social worker’s supervision for 18 months and to attend counselling, the sheriff told Crawford that if he complied with the terms of his punishment, “it might make your world better”.