AN ALVA man who issued vile threats to police officers while in possession of a knife was locked up last week.

Steven McEnhill was “completely out of control” on drink and drugs when he launched a concrete slab through the window of a property on Dalmore Drive on May 13 this year, before then turning his ire to on duty constables.

With more than 20 convictions to his name, the 23-year-old is no stranger to the court system.

Since moving to the Hillfoots last year, he has racked up a number of arrests for public order offences.

In June last year, he was hauled before Alloa Sheriff Court after abusing a couple at their Alva home, before taking his shirt off “as if to start a fight”.

He was given a community payback order as an alternative to custody but was arrested the very next day for kicking in a chip shop window.

Despite a curfew, and being handed another CPO in November last year, McEnhill, of West Johnstone Street, continued to offend.

However, there was no more opportunities left for him when he appeared before a sheriff on Thursday last week.

Depute fiscal Ruaridh Ferguson told Alloa Sheriff Court: “The accused was seen to position himself outside the living room window and threw a concrete slab through the window.

“The slab landed within the living room area, narrowly missing the three occupants.

“Police caught up with the accused on West Stirling Street in Alva and he was immediately aggressive with the officers.”

McEnhill then threatened the police, shouting at them: “I’m going to stab you and your wife,” and “I’ll kill all your family and your f***ing kids as well.”

Officers then arrested him and found a knife in the back pocket of his jeans.

When he appeared in court a few days later, he made no application for bail and was remanded in custody.

On Thursday, defence agent Claire McCarron asked Sheriff Ian Anderson to grant her client one final opportunity to remain in the community.

She said: “These are very serious offences, particularly when taken against the background of Mr McEnhill’s record.

“He does suffer from paranoia and anxiety and it was clear that at the time these offences were committed his mental health had deteriorated significantly.

“He accepted responsibility for his actions when he appeared from custody and did not seek bail as he wanted time to reflect on his behaviour. He does not wish to remain in custody.

“Mr McEnhill felt overwhelmed in the days leading up to it and had been under the influence of alcohol and Valium at the time.”

Sheriff Anderson then interrupted and argued that McEnhill was “completely out of control on alcohol and drugs”.

He said: “The risk is high and the chance of a community disposal achieving anything is very low.

“Throwing a concrete slab through a window when people are sitting there is potentially very serious, as is having a knife in these circumstances.”

Ms McCarron replied: “He knows that things were spiralling out of control at the time which is why he wanted to stay in custody.

“His difficulties with compliance with community payback orders is mainly due to his mental health issues.”

However, Sheriff Anderson was unconvinced with the lawyer’s plea and ordered that McEnhill remain behind bars.

He told him: “You have heard what has been said, and though I do appreciate your difficulties, I feel custody is the only option open to me.”

For each of the three charges, McEnhill was given six months’ imprisonment with all sentences to run concurrently.

The jail term was also backdated to May 16 when he first appeared from custody.