An Inverness man told two social workers that he was going to “blow his head off” with a gun.
The women who were visiting Lee Donnachie were so alarmed they left the house and called the police.
Armed officers were sent to his home in the Hilton area of the Highland capital.
But Inverness Sheriff Court heard that no firearm was found on the premises.
Donnachie, 35, of 151 Mackay Road, Inverness, yesterday admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner likely to cause fear and alarm to the two housing support workers, Kerry Richardson and Samantha Robertson, on October 20 last year.
Fiscal depute Kelly Mitchell said: “He told the social workers he was suicidal and had purchased a gun for £400 and was going to blow his head off. Social workers were alarmed and left the house quickly.
“Firearms officers attended and there was no gun found on the premises, however the accused was thereafter detained for misconduct.”
Donnachie’s agent, solicitor Rory Gowans, said: “He made a stupid throwaway comment and regrets doing that.
“He never had a gun and never had any intention of getting one and this was a hollow threat made during a turbulent period for him.
“The difficulty has been in the past with a chaotic family situation which does not help and he has not dealt with this in the best possible manner.”
Sheriff David Sutherland deferred sentence until January 23.
