A man who threatened to shoot bullets “right through” his sister and broke a man’s jaw in two places has been jailed for 18 months when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court.
The court heard that David Murray, 29, of Main Street, Methven, asked Keri Murray, a police officer, for £3,000 and threatened to kill her horse, while spending around £800 per month on alcohol and cocaine.
Depute fiscal Rebecca Kynaston told the court that Murray exchanged text messages with his sister telling her he was in “serious trouble”.
“The accused threatened he would kill his sister’s horse and later he told her to give him £3,000 during a rambling call,” she said.
“Murray told his sister he would shoot bullets right through her. The woman was in shock and didn’t say anything.”
The court heard that Murray also told his sister he would stab her.
During his court appearance on Wednesday, Murray admitted that on June 21 at an address in Main Street, Methven, he repeatedly contacted Ms Murray and uttered threats, demanded money, stated she would be stabbed and shot and attempted to extort money from her.
He also admitted a separate charge that on October 12 last year in South Street, Perth, he assaulted a man by punching him on the face to his permanent disfigurement.
Mrs Kynaston said the assault victim had been out with Murray’s former girlfriend and, after words were exchanged, he punched the man, leading him to suffer two fractures to his jaw.
The court heard the victim initially refused medical attention but woke up the following day with a headache and a sore jaw.
After having his jaw x-rayed at Perth Royal Infirmary, he was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where he underwent an operation. Mrs Kynaston said the man has been left with surgical scars.
Solicitor David Holmes, defending, said his client had a disposable income of around £2,500 per month and was spending around £800 a month on alcohol and cocaine at the time when he threatened his sister.
“My client had a significant salary from working on the oil rigs and his life was out of control at this point,” he said.
Sheriff Fiona Tait jailed Murray for 18 months.