Elgin man (26) sent death threats during New Year's Day drinking session

AN Elgin man who sent death threats to another man during a New Year's Day drinking session has appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court.

Kyle Mackenzie of Reid Street, Elgin sent three voice notes over Facebook to his victim, threatening to 'bash his head' and to kill him. Mackenzie, who was known to the other man, was under the influence of alcohol on January 1, 2022 when he sent the messages.

Defence Solicitor Grant Daglish said that the 26-year-old had accepted what he had said while under the influence and was seeking help with his issues relating to substance abuse. He added: "The threats were just bravado and would've been forgotten without police involvement."

Sheriff David Harvie said: "This is quite an impressive record of violence and this is a man who has threatened to bash someone's head in to kill him. He says it was bravado but looking at his record, he's a violent man.

"You're 26 now, there are no excuses for this kind of behaviour and particularly with your record, you tread a thin line. With your record it'd be really easy to impose a custodial sentence, because you were on bail at the time. I want to be really clear, I could impose a sentence of up to two years."

Mackenzie was sentenced to a six month restriction of liberty order.