Former chef Richard Morrison lost the plot after drinking a bottle of Buckfast whilst on a day out with his partner in Partick.

The 31-year-old also blew £350 of his girlfriend’s money almost instantly, losing it all at the bookies.

Appearing from custody last Tuesday, Morrison, of Attlee Avenue, shook his head in disbelief as he heard the accounts of what happened on May 4 this year.

Prosecuting, Claire Martin told the court how the pair had been in an on/off relationship for four months last year and had maintained a casual relationship thereafter, before Morrison moved into her flat in March this year.

She added: “At that point their relationship was strained because of his drinking. On that morning, the pair went to Partick on the train. She had withdrawn £350 from her bank at his request and gave him the money.

“When they got there he went into the betting shop and spent all the money she had given him. Whilst their, Morrison bought a bottle of Buckfast and started drinking it, before the pair returned to their Clydebank flat, where he continued to drink.” Ms Martin added: “He began to become argumentative, then she fell asleep, waking around 5pm. He was still in an argumentative mood when her friend came. He asked if they could take him to get more wine, so they took him to Scotstoun and left him there.

“When she returned, the complainer’s sister had come round to the flat, at which point he called and started swearing at her and shouting at her down the phone.” Morrison’s girlfriend – from whom he now believes he has split – told him she didn’t want him back at the flat, at which point he flew of the handle, making the horrific threats.

Ms Martin said: “He told her he was going to murder her and her sister, and that her family members would be slashed.” At this point the sister called the police and he was later arrested.

Defending, Mr Colcoyne told Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week how Morrison had lost his job as a chef because of his drinking, which had led to difficulties with his tenancy. He was forced from his home after being unable to pay the bills and began to suffer from anxiety and depression.

It was at this point he signed the lease to stay with his girlfriend.

Mr Colcoyne said: “He accepts he has a difficulty with alcohol and doesn’t know when to stop after he starts.

“He appreciates the affect his behaviour would have had on the complainer and agrees he could benefit from some help.

“He told me there he expected no reconciliation between him and the complainer.” Mr Colcoyne also told the court about Morrison’s previous convictions, explaining he had served 21 months in 2007, but had only one minor conviction since his release in 2009.

The court heard how Morrison had told his solicitor: “I’m gutted to be back in prison.” It also heard how he had been remanded in custody since the incident in May, having spent eight weeks in jail.

Sentencing, Sheriff Eric Brown said: “Threats of this nature can cause people a great deal of stress. It must be more stressful when that person knows you and has known you for some time.

“It would have been particularly frightening for people who have an indication of your previous record.” Sheriff Brown said he was going to give Morrison “an opportunity,” and gave him a 16 week prison sentence, backdated to May 6.