Police officers sent to a Larkhall house were confronted by a man holding a gun who threatened to shoot himself.
Leslie McMillan eventually threw the weapon away and it turned out to be a plastic imitation, Hamilton Sheriff Court heard.
McMillan, 38, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at his home in Portland Wynd on July 7 last year.
Scott O’Connor, prosecuting, said police officers were asked to check on the accused’s welfare after an incident at the premises of Larkhall and District Volunteer Group in Victoria Street.
He stated: “They went to his home but got no reply at the door.
“Then the accused appeared at an upstairs window. He was shouting and swearing, saying ‘Stop f*****g banging on my door’ and ‘If you don’t get to f*** I’ll stab myself in the chest’.
“The officers requested that another police unit attend due to concerns for McMillan.
“Efforts were made to have a dialogue with him but he then appeared at a window in possession of a handgun, shouting ‘F*** off or I’ll kill shoot myself’.
“The police officers withdrew but continued to engage with him, telling him to put the gun down.
“McMillan then appeared at the back door, shouting and swearing. He threw the gun down before retreating inside. A short time later he surrendered and the gun was found to be a plastic imitation.”
Defence lawyer Sandy Morrison said McMillan, who has previous convictions, had “major issues with his mental health” at the time and had sought help while in prison for another matter.
The solicitor added: “He was subject to a court curfew and found it difficult to comply with. He appears to be doing better now.”
Sheriff Liam Murphy deferred sentence until next month for background reports and continued bail, but he warned McMillan: “Given the nature of this offence and your previous convictions, a custodial sentence is still open.”
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