A MAN who intimidated his sister with an axe during a family feud was spared jail.

After the death of their mother, Stuart Irvine and his sister became involved in a fight that led to the 36-year-old appearing at her house with the weapon.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard the pair are still not speaking but that Irvine “deeply regrets” his actions.

Prosecutor Aimee Doran told the court that on December 15, 2019, Irvine was seen parking his car outside his sister’s house in Easterhouse.

She said: “The accused attends at the address in a vehicle.

“He exits the vehicle and ­approaches the front door of the property, however no attempts to enter the property are made.

“Witnesses observe the accused to be carrying something in his right hand and putting it behind his back.

“That item is an axe.”

Irvine was found by cops the following morning, arrested and charged.

The dad-of-two later pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Irvine’s defence agent told the court the victim is his client’s sister and that incident was part of a “stupid argument”.

He told the court: “For what it’s worth, it was a 12-inch axe.

“My client’s mum died not that long before the incident and had a family argument with his sister.

“A ‘stupid argument’, which were his words to me.

“He is still not on speaking terms with his sister and appreciates this must have been distressing for her.

“It was an attempt to intimidate and alarm her.

“He was detained very easily the following morning He fully accepts his behaviour and deeply regrets what happened.”

The court was told Irvine has previous convictions for road traffic offences, misuse of drugs and breach of the peace.

Sheriff Jonathan Guy said: “This is a serious offence that you have pled guilty to and you seem to have shown some insight into how that must have affected your sister to see you brandishing or having a knife in your hand.”

The sheriff said he could have sent Irvine to prison but instead sentenced him to a community payback order.

As well as being supervised by social work for 12 months, Irvine will have to carry out 108 hours of unpaid work within a year.