A MAN who threatened to rape police officers' children until they died has been given a community payback order (CPO) at Alloa Sheriff Court.

Gavin McDougall made the vile threat at Alloa Police Office on February 3, 2019.

The 21-year-old had been arrested in relation to another matter, and was being dealt with by officers on the date in question.

Prosecutor Ann Orr told the court on Thursday, February 13, that McDougall started to "shout and swear" before "struggling with officers".

She said: "He had to be restrained and taken to the prone position and handcuffed.

"He shouted at them: 'Get to f**k', 'I'll rape all your wanes 'til they die, you f*****g scumbags'."

McDougall previously pleaded guilty to charges of impeding police and threatening behaviour.

However, his sentencing had been deferred until this year by Alloa's former resident sheriff, Sheriff David Mackie.

This was because McDougall was sentenced to 21 months' detention in a Young Offenders Institute by Sheriff Simon Collins QC back in April 2019.

The lengthy sentence was imposed after McDougall admitted sending threatening messages to his former partner, and being in possession of a meat clever in public, back in 2017.

And Sheriff Mackie wanted to allow the 2019 offence to track McDougall's period in HMYOI Polmont, so he could sentence him to a period of supervision upon his release.

The court heard last week that McDougall, formerly of Craigview in Sauchie, would be released on Tuesday, February 18, and housed away from Clackmannanshire.

Robert Smith, defending, said his client had done "extremely well" during the period of detention, and had even gained qualifications in catering.

He also said McDougall's offences were committed against a background of mental health issues.

Sheriff Craig Harris outlined he agreed with his predecessor's view that a period of supervision would benefit McDougall.

He said: "You're about to come out, and you will have to adapt back to living in the community again.

"What I'm going to do is try and assist that transition by imposing a CPO with supervision."

He then said the CPO would be in place for 14 months, and said to McDougall before he left the dock: "Take your release as a fresh start, and move forward."