A MAN was told he was on the cusp of serving a prison sentence as he appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court last week for assault.

Michael Stewart appeared on Thursday, January 4, after his sentence was deferred for a social work report to be carried out following his plea of guilty.

The 28-year-old assaulted another man by punching him on the head to his injury on June 20, 2016.

His second charge, from the same date and location, Reform Street, Dundee, states that without reasonable excuse or lawful authority, Stewart was in possession of an offensive weapon, namely a pair of metal snips.

The court heard from his lawyer, Ms Robertson, how her client, of McKinlay Crescent, Alloa, suffers from mental health issues.

This is Stewart's third conviction for assault and according to the sheriff, he has to take his sentences more seriously as he is yet to finish unpaid work for a previous offence.

However, the accused claimed this was the result of taking on a paid employment position.

The sheriff scolded the man for this excuse, adding: "You are very keen to work you are paid for it but not when it is ordered."

He was ordered to carry out a further 100 hours of unpaid work in the next six months and was warned that he was very close to being sent to prison.