Park and deride: Bonnybridge offender unleashes verbal assault on family from his car

Robert Higgins, 64, appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday having pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour – uttering threats towards a woman and members of her family – in Falkirk Road, Bonnybridge on April 6 last year.

Steven Lynch, procurator fiscal depute, said: “The witness and her family were walking a dog near to her home. At this time, the accused has returned to the address in his car and parked it in his usual space.

"He has remained within the vehicle, rolled down the window and begun to shout at her and her family, saying ‘I’m coming for you’ and ‘I will deal with you’. He added ‘my son will deal with you – this is only the beginning’, before repeating ‘this is only the beginning’.”

The court heard Higgins supposedly suffered a mental breakdown at the time and ended up being taken to hospital just two days after the incident. He was said to have stayed there for 11 weeks.

Sentence had been deferred on Higgins, formerly of Flat 6, 38 Falkirk Road, Bonnybridge, for his good behaviour and it was stated he had managed to stay out of trouble since committing the offence.

Sheriff Craig Harris noted Higgins did not have a lengthy criminal record and had now relocated to Ayrshire.

He added: “This type of conduct is quite out of character for you.”

He simply admonished Higgins.