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A boozed-up gun nut with an imitation handgun tucked into his trousers threatened to kill all the drug dealers and drug addicts in Dunblane with the help of his pal who was armed with an AK47.

Jamie Bradley, 32, displayed the handgun and made the remark to a couple who were strolling with their young grand-daughter and their dog only 500 yards from the town's primary school, where gunman Thomas Hamilton shot 16 children and their teacher in 1996.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard today that the incident happened around 12.50 on a Saturday afternoon last July.

Bradley shouted to the couple and called the husband, James Cullen, across the road.

Mr Cullen, 52, who knew Bradley, went to see what he wanted and Bradley said to him that he'd "got a plan" and that "drugs were unfair".

Bradley told Mr Cullen: "Me and Conroy, who's got an AK47, we're going to kill all the drug addicts and drug dealers in Dunblane."

Prosecutor Sarah Lumsden said: "Mr Cullen quite firmly told the accused that this would not be a good idea, and that he'd get himself into trouble."

The depute fiscal added that the Cullens knew Bradley, and had also noticed he was heavily intoxicated.

She added: "To be quite frank, I don't think that Mr Cullen thought it was a serious threat at that point."

However Bradley continued to talk about a friend having an AK47, and then lifted up his shirt and said 'Don't worry, I've got this."

Miss Lumsden said: "Mr Cullen could see what looked like a black handgun tucked into Mr Bradley's trousers."

He told Mr Cullen to "keep it on the quiet", shut his jacket, and walked away.

Mr Cullen caught up with his wife, who had walked on, advised her what he had just heard, and the police were contacted.

(Image: John MacKenzie)

The next day, July 24th 2016, Bradley, who by then had heard that police were looking for him, "presented himself" at Stirling Police Station.

He was detained and told officers the weapon had been "a BB thing" and claimed his actions were meant to have been a joke.

Miss Lumsden said: "The police put to him that such a matter wouldn't actually be funny to somebody, and he said he was sorry, and that he didn't know anybody called Conroy who had an AK47 .

"He was thereafter cautioned and charged, and made no reply."

Bradley, of Kilbryde, Dunblane, pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive behaviour, uttering threats of violence, and lifting his clothing to display an imitation handgun.

Sheriff William Gilchrist deferred sentence for reports until May 9th, when Bradley could be jailed , and released him on bail.

Defence agent Gordon Murphy said he would reserve his speech in mitigation for the sentencing hearing.