AN ALLOA man who threatened to set his stepfather on fire has been handed a 10-month jail sentence last week.

John Mitchell looked shocked as he was hand cuffed and led away from the dock in Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, December 14.

The 30-year-old appeared on four matters which date back as far as March this year when he attempted a fraudulent scheme by placing barcodes of vegetables over the barcodes on items of clothing.

He told police when he was questioned about it that he had no intention of stealing the items from the Asda store in Alloa.

Then on April 19, the accused attended Clackmannanshire Council’s housing department to apply for a house.

The depute fiscal told the court that Mitchell appeared “highly agitated” and told staff he had mental health problems.

He concerned staff by then telling them he would burn his house down if he was not given a new one. Employees were alarmed to the point where police were called.

On June 11 and into the early hours of the next day, Mitchell’s neighbour became aware that the accused was at her door. He left but returned 30 minutes later and began helping himself to items from the complainer’s garden.

The depute fiscal said he lifted plants and solar powered lights which came to a value of around £60.

Police attended and spoke to Mitchell through his bedroom window before he eventually came outside with a black bag full of items. He was eventually arrested for theft.

His defence lawyer, Claire McCarron told the court that Mitchell had no electricity or light in his home and stole the plants as he knew there were solar lights in them and wanted to use them to light his home.

After being arrested he was taken to Falkirk police station where he assaulted an officer by striking him on the head through the hatch on his cell door. The officer did not suffer any injuries.

Finally, on November 21, at Argyll Street in Alloa, Mitchell’s stepfather was in his bed at 4am when the accused came to the door and he heard him shouting and swearing to be let in.

The depute fiscal continued: “He was subsequently told to go away but returned and again demanded to be let in the property and started asking for money.

“He then said he would set fire to the witness.”

Ms McCarron said: “A misuse of drugs and his mental health played a part.”

In sentencing, Sheriff Simon Collins said the accused had "an appalling record over the years" and gave him 10 months' in prison.