Ryan Taylor, of Littlemill Place, Rankinston, pleaded guilty to sending a barrage of voicemail and text messages to his relative.
He admitted that on November 2, 2024, at an address within the jurisdiction of Dumbarton Sheriff Court, he sent messages that were grossly offensive or of an indecent or menacing character. He acted in an aggressive manner, shouted, swore, uttered abusive remarks and threats of violence.
Fiscal depute Euan Nicholson told the court that Taylor, 21, and the other man were half-brothers but “have had little to no contact for some time”.
They were both at their mother’s wedding last year and then the half-brother told a cousin “about allegations” and those were passed to the accused.
At about 6pm on November 2 Taylor messaged his half-brother through Facebook.
“Are you off your f*****g heid?” he wrote.
There were then 11 voice messages which were threatening or abusive in nature, said the prosecutor.
“Do you actually think I will not come up and knock you out and knock the braces from your skull?” he said.
Another message said: “Stop making up lies. You’re a dirty wee liar.”
Taylor phoned his relative and was shouting and swearing at him, making threats including: “I will come up to your work and drop a car on you whilst you’re on the ramp.”
He further said: “I know where you live and I will come up through your door.”
A complaint was made to the police and Taylor later attended at Ayr police office.
He pleaded guilty on his first appearance at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on January 7.
His solicitor said: “His position was the complainer spread rumours about him. He responded in a completely inappropriate manner.”
The lawyer added that it was a “flurry of abusive messages” but it seemed to be “an isolated incident”.
Sheriff Seith Ireland, noting that Taylor was a first offender, deferred sentence for six months for him to be of good behaviour.
New bail conditions were imposed with a special condition not to approach or contact his half-brother in any way.