A Paisley man threatened to snap his wife's neck with two fingers while he was on the phone an ambulance service operator.
Ian Dickson, of North Street in the town, falsely told ambulance operators that his wife was threatening him with a knife on April 6, before going on to make threats to break her neck.
Dickson, 62 also made threats to his wife, claiming he was "bad" and called her a "f*****g c**t."
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Procurator fiscal depute Maria Murdoch told Paisley Sheriff Court: "Around 10.30pm the accused phoned the ambulance service and asked for an ambulance to attend as his wife was intoxicated.
"On the call he stated that she had keys in her hand and was threatening him with a knife.
"He believed he hung up the phone but was unaware of the operator still on the line.
"On this call, Dickson's wife stated she did not have a knife.
"Dickson said 'I lied about the knife' and he continued to make threats to her, stating 'I'll break your neck with two fingers.'
"The accused also said 'You don't know what you've married. I've never showed how bad I can be, but I can be.'
"He continued to shout, calling his wife a, 'f*****g c**t and a 'nut job' and made numerous threats to punch her on 'the nut.'
"Police were contacted and attended and spoke to both parties at length but were unable to establish circumstances due to intoxication."
Defence agent Kevin Brady told the court that Dickson's wife was present in court and that she was "supportive of him."
Mr Brady added: "The couple are keen for the relationship to continue.
"This was an unpleasant episode and he accepts that. There was no intention to carry out any of these threats.
"Alcohol featured quite prominently for both parties and both have quite an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, and so Mr Dickson has taken steps to address that."
Sentencing, Sheriff Lindsay Kooner said: "I'm persuaded that a community payback order with a supervision element would be appropriate in this case.
"This was a deeply unpleasant incident fuelled by alcohol and I hope that's not going to be repeated."
Sheriff Kooner made Dickson subject to supervision of the social work department for 12 months.
Dickson will be required to complete the Up to You module and a review hearing was set for December 8.
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