A DISTRUNTLED ex-employee of a Kirkintilloch restaurant threatened staff with a weapon over a dispute about money.

Mark Deary visited the Lion and Star restaurant around 8pm on November 7, 2016, where he used to be head chef.

After arguing with staff inside the premises, Deary refused to leave.

The Kirkintilloch man then took out a long metal knife sharpener and said: “I don’t want to have to use this”.

Staff were alarmed by his behaviour and contacted police.

Deary, of Westergreens Avenue, Kirkintilloch, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to having the knife sharpener in his possession.

His defence agent told the court that his client had been drinking at a funeral prior to the incident and had went to settle a dispute over money. Deary was handed 80 hours of unpaid work.