A young man who threatened to kill his own father in a stream of abusive phone calls has been locked up.
Alexander McKinlay fired off a series of menacing messages after a misunderstanding about song lyrics, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
The 27-year-old admitted repeatedly calling and sending text messages to his father, also Alexander, threatening to kill him and causing fear and alarm.
Fiscal Stuart Richardson said Mr McKinlay Sr tried to call his son on January 5 but got no response. At about 6.30pm, he received two text messages from his son. The court heard they contained song lyrics Mr McKinlay Sr did not recognise.
“They were very difficult to understand,” Mr Richardson said. “He made another phone call to his son and this time he told him to sober up.
“This seems to have lit some kind of fuse with his son.”
The court was told that for the next two hours Mr McKinlay Sr, 52, was bombarded with text messages and calls.
McKinlay, whose addresses is listed on court papers as Princes Street, Stirling, swore at his father, threatened to kill him and accused him of ruining his life, Mr Richardson said.
“Mr McKinlay Sr was concerned enough about this to contact the police,” Mr Richardson said. “Officers attended at his home address.” While police were with Mr McKinlay at his property in Braco, his son called and threatened to kill him again.”
The court heard that McKinlay’s relationship with his father had become strained after his parents separated 13 years ago.
Sheriff Fiona Tait deferred sentence for reports but refused to grant McKinlay bail.
“I’m mindful that there’s alcohol difficulties in the background here, as well as mental health issues,” she said.
McKinlay will return to court to learn his fate on Wednesday February 18.