AN ALLOA man has been sentenced for sending threatening messages on social media.

Conor Preston had apparently heard allegations that the man was guilty of some wrong-doing against a female. The alleged victim was also somebody that Preston scarcely knew.

Defence solicitor Michael Lowrie said the offence had an element of the ridiculous about it, given that his client did not really know those involved.

Preston, 31, of Maree Court, appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on September 6, he sent messages via Facebook to a man, which contained swearing and repeated threats of violence.

Sheriff Neil Bowie also noted that Preston “barely knew” the person he sent the messages to and the same applied to the female involved.

He imposed a community payback order with one year’s supervision and a six-month restriction of liberty order.