A “DRUNKEN idiot” who appeared outside his neighbour’s home, bare chested and armed with a knife, has been given a curfew as punishment.

Bernard McElhill, previously of Dalmuir Court, Duntocher Road, and now of Duncombe View, North Drumry, turned up around 1am on August 3, 2019, and was seen through a door spyhole brandishing the blade.

The 63-year-old banged on the door and shouted, “Where’s the wee b***ard” and “Come out you wee f***er, it’s my landing”.

When police arrived, they found the knife on a mattress outside the door.

McElhill later pleaded guilty to acting in a threatening or abusive manner.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court this month, Sheriff Maxwell Hendry remarked anyone would agree it was a serious matter if they looked “through a spy hole and saw what they saw”.

Defence solicitor Jonathan Paul said his client was looking to address his issues with alcohol.

Sheriff Hendry told McElhill: “You’re 63. You were acting like a drunken idiot.

“You would put the fear of god into anyone who saw you bare-chested, holding a knife and making threats.

“You should be deeply ashamed with how you behaved.”

McElhill was ordered to stay at his home between 7pm and 7am each night for four months.