IT TOOK 21 police officers, two ambulances and over an hour of negotiation to subdue a man who made threats with a knife in Tilly.

Fiscal depute Ruaraidh Ferguson told Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday that cops were called out to Hareburn Road in Tillicoultry at around 9pm on October 15 this year to respond to a complaint about loud music.

The noisy flat was identified, however resident Ross Baillie refused to engage with officers when they initially knocked on his door.

Music was still being blasted at 9.30pm. When the police attempted to get the accused’s attention, he threatened: “Get the f*ck away from my door.”

The 27-year-old told them to “f*ck off” and branded them a “bunch of f*cking scumbags”.

Baillie then appeared at a top window with a knife. He threatened to cut his own throat and stab the officers present.

Negotiations took over an hour, during which time the accused appeared at his window again to reissue the threats. He also made attempts to barricade himself in.

More support arrived. In total, there were 21 police officers and two ambulances called to the scene.

The situation was then brought under control. When the police entered Baillie’s house they recovered the knife, which was no longer in his possession.

The accused thereafter pleaded guilty to shouting, swearing, and threatening to stab himself and police officers whilst in possession of a blade at his home address.

Defending, Kelly Howe admitted that it was a “very extreme reaction” to a minor complaint.

She claimed that Baillie, whose “mental health is fragile at times”, wasn’t coping well to news he had received and was heavily intoxicated.

Ms Howe stated that when sober, Baillie was “surprised” by his own actions.

Sheriff David Mackie sentenced the accused to a Restriction of Liberty Order in which he will have to spend the next three months indoors every night between 9pm and 5am.