A MAN brandished a machete and crossbow at heating engineers who were working at a neighbour’s home.

Kilwinning man David Duffy told the workmen he would “chop them up” before hurling a bottle of Buckfast at them in the terrifying incident.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard the incident happened while the heating engineers were working on a property next door to Duffy’s home on Fergushill Road at around 8.30am on March 25.

Procurator fiscal depute Alexander Fraser said: "They [the workmen] observed Duffy in the front garden of his own home.

"He was wearing a stab proof vest and tracksuit bottoms. He was seen drinking from a bottle of Buckfast.

"For no apparent reason he started shouting at the workmen, threatening to 'chop them up'."

Duffy then threw his bottle of Buckfast towards the workmen, but it "did not land anywhere near" the pair.

Mr Fraser said Duffy, 25, then went inside his home, but returned to the garden a short time later – this time holding a machete which, the court heard, was around the length of a baseball bat.

The fiscal depute added: "Again he started shouting and swearing, as well as challenging them to a fight.

"The men ignored him, hoping that would defuse the situation, but Duffy then went back into his house and shortly thereafter came back into the garden with a black crossbow.

"He pointed the crossbow towards where the workmen were, but he didn’t leave the garden."

Another neighbour who had heard part of what happened contacted police; cops arrived a short time later and found Duffy inside his home, where he was arrested.

He was taken to Saltcoats police office and  was cautioned and charged but made no reply.

Duffy later appeared at court in relation to the matter on March 26, and has been remanded in custody at HMP Kilmarnock since then.

Duffy's solicitor told the court his client had been engaging well with previous court orders before the incident, and said his “ultimate submission” was that fresh background reports would be appropriate before sentencing.

He told Sheriff Sheena Fraser: “The record [of Duffy’s previous convictions] before you does him no credit.

“He has a background of substance misuse and mental health issues stemming from a traumatic childhood.

"I believe the papers show that he was progressing well on the [previous] orders."

Sheriff Fraser said: “An up-to-date report may be of use here.

“My initial thought was, given his record, there was no alternative to custody, but I am willing to consider if there are any alternatives.”

Sentencing was deferred until next month, though Duffy will remain in custody until then.