A THUG who made an obscene threat while "waving around" a knife has been jailed.

Andrew Manson was later found by police with two large bladed weapons after forming part of a group attempting to take back a 'stolen' dog in Stevenston.

The 39-year-old appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Tuesday, October 15, where he pleaded guilty to three charges following an incident on July 27 last year.

He admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and being in possession of two knives, as well as a further charge of failing to appear at court after being cited to do so on May 14 this year.

The court heard that two witnesses had been walking to their home in Stevenston at around 4am on the date of the incident.

Procurator fiscal depute Alasdair Millar said they observed a puppy tied to a railing nearby. The dog was whining and due to the late hour and weather conditions the pair decided to take the pet home with them.

After their return home, both had gone to bed before being awoken at around 8am by a "loud commotion" coming from the rear of the property.

Four men - including Manson - were seen standing outside, according to the fiscal depute.

The three other males came to the rear door of the home and started kicking it, demanding the dog be returned.

Manson, meanwhile, was stood nearby and shouted "open the f*****g door" while he was waving around a knife.

The group did recover the puppy, though the police had been contacted.

Officers later traced Manson, who was found at a footpath near the Hayocks Road area of the town, and he was found to be "fidgeting with his trouser waistband".

Two large kitchen knives were recovered with blades measuring seven and eight inches long.

As a result, Manson was arrested and taken to Saltcoats police station were he was cautioned and charged.

Defence solicitor Sandy Currie told the hearing that the owner of the dog was a cousin of Manson's, who approached him and told him that the pet had been stolen.

He was also informed that they "knew where the dog was" - though Manson was unaware whether "stolen" was an accurate description.

Mr Currie said Manson "foolishly" went along with the group who went to retrieve the puppy.

He added: "He accepts he was there and with these persons. He accepts the seriousness of his behaviour though he was not responsible for close proximity threats."

Sheriff Murdoch Mactaggart said: "I am not satisfied that there is an appropriate way to deal with a matter of this severity by any way other than custody."

He then sentenced Manson to spend a period of 11 months in prison, which was backdated to his initial remand on August 19.