A JOHNSTONE thug who threatened a garage worker with a hammer has dodged a prison sentence.

Lee Fraser, 30, ran towards the man, shouting 'I'll f***ing hit you.'

Fearing for his life, the employee struck Fraser on the face to stop the attack.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard how Fraser and co-accused Kyle McGuire, 28, were armed with weapons when they visited The Garage, in Napier Street, Clydebank, on July 6, 2021.

Procurator fiscal Tiffany Chisholm said two members of staff were finishing work at around 6pm, with the brother of one of the employees and the partner of the other also there.

It was then that Fraser and McGuire arrived and started shouting at all four of them.

Ms Chisholm said threats such as 'you're getting done' and 'motors are getting done' were made.

Both men were told to leave but McGuire responded by hurling a glass bottle at one of the workers, narrowly missing him.

Fraser then ran towards the same employee but was wrestled to the ground.

When police arrived, they saw Fraser sitting on the ground and McGuire armed with another bottle.

Both men were arrested and taken to Clydebank police station.

They appeared in court this week and pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner by brandishing a hammer and two bottles and repeatedly uttering threats of violence.

McGuire admitted a further charge of having a bottle in a public place without lawful authority.

The court was told that, while he was being restrained during the incident, Fraser suffered "multiple injuries."

His defence solicitor added: "He accepts what has been said in court. He seems to have a grip of the substance misuse issues and he is not consuming alcohol. He hasn't committed any offences in the meantime.

"I would submit that the custody threshold can be avoided. He is in a position to carry out unpaid work and would prioritise that. From his point of view, he likes to be busy if he can be."

Meanwhile, McGuire's lawyer said: "He had spent a number of days in custody before being committed to bail.

"He seems to have a much more settled lifestyle at the present time. He indicates he has a rather poor recollection of the event from taking alcohol and Valium."

Passing sentence, Sheriff Seith Ireland said he had "been influenced" by the fact both accused have "kept out of trouble" since the incident.

He added: "In all of the circumstances with respect to both accused, I think this case would cross the custody threshold but I think there are alternatives for punishment in the community."

Fraser was ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work, while McGuire, of Glasgow, was told to complete 300 hours.