AN Ayr man who threatened to kill his wife of 45 years has been charged for a knife-wielding dispute.

68-year-old James Davies pled guilty to shouting threats of violence whilst holding a knife in his hand.

Depute Fiscal Ed Sheeran told the court: "The victim was with the accused of married 45 years and have two grown up children.

"At around 7pm on September 18, the accused was being hostile to his wife. He then went to the kitchen with a knife.

"On September 19 at around 3pm, the accused's wife returned home from work and accused went to the kitchen to grab a knife. He was shouting he was going to kill her".

Mr Sheeran went on to tell the court that Davies made further threats with the knife before the couple's son phoned the police who attended and found the victim in a distressed state.

When Davies was charged by police, his response was "it's all p**h".

Defending Davies, solicitor Tony Currie said he was remorseful for his actions. Mr Currie told the court: "This is a man who is ashamed of what he did.

"He and his wife live separately now and there is no chance of the relationship being reconciled. He is terrified of the potential consequences of his actions."

Sheriff Desmond Leslie spared Davies of a prison sentence. He said: "It is not my intention to send you to jail." Instead he fined Davies £500 which he will now pay at £10 per week.