A MAN has pleaded guilty to brandishing a large knife in front of a 10-year-old girl over a child's dispute.

Ross Paris, of Miller Road, Haldane, admitted having the blade in Shandon Brae, Balloch, on July 14 last year and to shouting, repeatedly banging on a door and brandishing the knife, putting a woman and her daughter in a state of alarm.

The incident happened after Paris's daughter had been playing the day before with a close friend. His partner had gone to speak to the girl's mother after she fell, but Paris, 36, turned up suddenly at the home.

He was repeatedly banging on the door, heard Dumbarton Sheriff Court on January 23, and was visibly acting in an aggressive manner.

Paris said: "Do you think I'm a dafty? I'll show you who is a dafty."

Fiscal depute Kevin Doherty said Paris then said: "'Do you think I abused your daughter', or words to that effect'."

The knife was taken off him and put in a plastic bag in the kitchen and later handed to police.

He was arrested shortly after.

Defence solicitor Kenny Clark said: "Mr Paris uses the knife for fishing. The knife and other fishing gear is normally in the rear of [his partner's] car. He tells me he took it out of the boot of the car with the intention of doing damage to [the girl's mum's car].

"There's evidence that he struck that car.

"The two children remain friends at school - they no longer visit each other's houses.

"The incident occurred when Mr Paris was under the influence of alcohol. He has taken steps to address this."

In 2000, Paris was convicted at the High Court of firing an air gun at someone and then in 2008, he was jailed for 32 months for stabbing a party-goer in Barnhill Road, Dumbarton. He left a kitchen knife in the the victim's back.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry said it was difficult to see an alternative punishment to prison, noting the High Court conviction was unusually dealt with by way of a community service order.

Calling for background reports, he added: "You should not assume because bail is continued, that a prison sentence is not awaiting."

The reports, prepared for February 21, will consider suitability for restriction of liberty, supervised release and extended sentences.