An Irvine man who made threats to his downstairs neighbour with a blade sparked a stand-off with 17 police officers after barricading his door.

John Worthington pleaded guilty at court to threatening and abusive behaviour at flats in Dick Crescent in Irvine on October 24, 2023.

The 46-year-old admitted attending the woman's door there in possession of a knife, repeatedly strike a door, while shouting and swearing.

He then broke a number of windows and made threats towards a woman.

He admitted causing fear and alarm, shouting and swearing, threatening police officers and barricading the door, preventing police officers from entering his address.

The court heard Worthington had spent 16 weeks and five days in custody when he pleaded guilty to the charges.

Procurator fiscal depute Chris Munro told Kilmarnock Sheriff Court: “The locus was a ground floor flat in Dick Terrace. The accused lived in the top floor flat.

“The witness returned home after taking her dog for a walk. She saw her neighbour, the accused, making his way downstairs.

“She looked out her door and saw him place a knife in the waistband of his jogging bottoms.

“He then began banging on the door, shouting about her being noisy."

Mr Munro said Worthington had told the woman: “Believe me, you won’t be staying here much longer. You only got one chance and you’ve had it. You will not be living here in the next six weeks.”

Mr Munro continued: “He also referred to the witness as a c**t.

"After several minutes the accused left then smashed a windows, a total of six were smashed.

“She contacted police. He refused to open the door and stated if officers came into the property they were ‘in for the fight of your life’.

“He then put furniture against door in an attempt to stop police entering.

“Police specially trained in public order tactics were deployed to attend the front door.  In total 17 police officers of various ranks were in attendance.

“He again stated they were ‘in for the fight of your life’ and when asked what he meant by that said ‘you’ll find out’.

“He refused to leave or acknowledge he was under arrest.

“During the containment, police were able to open the front door and found a knife with an eight-inch blade.

“At 12.20am he was arrested. He was cautioned and charged and made no reply.”

Defence solicitor Peter Murray said: “He is a 46-year-old married man.

“He is diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, and is normally medicated for that condition.

“He advises he had no previous history or difficulties with the particular lady. He fully accepts he had no reason to attend the door, and that there were no background issues or animosity.

“Mr Worthington advises me those weeks proceeding his mental health was very poor.

"He attended his GP and specialist appointments were arranged but unfortunately these were in the dim and distant future. He then used illicit substances in this period.

“His memory is hazy, but he advises he was using illicit substances and prescribed medication.

"This is indicative of his low mood. He then has very little recollection. He has offered to plead guilty at this very early stage.

“Mr Worthington is aware of the gravity of the situation.”

Sheriff Murdo MacTaggart told Worthington: “I will seek a criminal justice social work reports and a restriction of liberty assessment but given your record and that you are on an unexpired sentence I don’t think you are a suitable candidate for bail.”

Worthington, of HMP Kilmarnock, was remanded in custody and will return to court at a later date.