A woman who threatened to slit a man's throat unless he gave her £15,000 within 30 minutes has been ordered to do unpaid work as punishment.

A sheriff acknowledged Elspeth Glasgow had turned her life around so significantly in nearly four years since her crime.

She pleaded guilty last month at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to attempting extortion by menacing a man in Duntocher, Clydebank, putting him in a state of fear and alarm and apprehension of his safety.

The 43-year-old, who was listed in court papers at a previous residential rehab facility in Balloch, returned to court for sentencing on July 9.

Sheriff James Mulgrew said Glasgow was a "different person" from when she tried to extort funds from a supposed friend.

When she appeared for sentencing, he said: "I had time to consider this particular case and whilst it is a serious offence, it was some time ago and it seems her life has changed considerably since."

Defence solicitor Kenny McGowan said his client had made "exemplary progress".

The sheriff said, however, the public would expect the court to put someone "to the test" that their "lifestyle behaviour" had improved.

He told Glasgow: "You pleaded guilty to a very serious charge. It's quite unusual and it involved a not insignificant sum.

"I observe this took place in October 2020. You are a very different person now then you were then.

"However, I think the public would expect this should not be able to proceed without some punishment or supervision. I think the public would expect the court to test them."

He imposed a community payback order with social work supervision for 12 months. She must also fo 120 hours of unpaid work in the community within that time.

The court previously heard that on October 25, 2020, Glasgow and an unknown male left a voicemail threatening a man. The male voice said if the man didn't pay £15,000 he car would be taken and he would get stabbed and his throat slit.

There was a further call saying he had 30 minutes to pay the money, then a voicemail from Glasgow with the male voice saying he would "put a bullet in his head".

Prosecutors said there were also a number of WhatsApp messages threatening him. The man went to Clydebank police office to report this.