AN URGENT arrest warrant has been issued for an Alloa man amid serious ongoing concerns for his welfare.

Scott Chrystal had been due to appear at Alloa Sheriff Court five times over the last three months with regards to an offence of threatening behaviour.

He appeared on 14 May before Sheriff David Mackie at which point both he and Chrystal’s defence lawyer Kelly Howe expressed their concerns for his deteriorating mental health.

His case was deferred for one month for his personal appearance but he then failed to show up again, this time before Sheriff Gillian Wade on 11 June.

After being continued for a week, on 18 June, Sheriff Wade issued a warrant to apprehend Chrystal as concerns over his well being were once again voiced by both the presiding sheriff and the defence.

He was later arrested and appeared from custody before Sheriff Mackie on Thursday (9 July).

His defence agent Kelly Howe once again remarked upon his mental health issues and told the court that Chrystal had been having trouble with his neighbours and had not been leaving his home.

During that hearing, Sheriff Mackie said: “There are repeated efforts in the papers to a deterioration in his condition.

“I find it strange that so many people are expressing concerns for Mr Chrystal but that social services don’t seem to want to know [about him].” And last Thursday (July 19) the threatening behaviour case was called again at Alloa Sheriff Court but Chrystal failed to appear.

His defence lawyer on that day, Claire McCarron, informed Sheriff William Wood, residing, that Sheriff Mackie had been “concerned with the lack of support he has been receiving from mental health services”.

Sheriff Wood then said: “I am going to grant a warrant but I do so at some hesitation. He is perhaps a greater risk to himself than he is to others.

“This [his apprehension] should be treated cautiously and carefully as it is mainly for his own benefit and not anyone else’s.”