A 'RECKLESS' lout who repeatedly branded his Greenock neighbour a 'nonce' and a 'paedo' on social media after a fall-out has been fined nearly £1,000.

Michael Freeman posted several updates on Facebook referring to the innocent victim in grossly derogatory terms - and he even revealed his name and address on the platform.

Freeman, 38, had returned to booze after a decade of sobriety at the time of the Communications Act offences, the sheriff court was told.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher described his client's behaviour as 'reckless', adding: "This is perhaps an example of the dangers of social media.

"They had been on friendly terms but that had deteriorated."

The court heard that the victim had been notified by a family member on July 2 that Freeman had posted a picture of him walking down a communal path, accompanied by the word 'paedo'.

Procurator fiscal depute Fergus Warner said: "There was another post with the same picture stating 'Keep sharing this, it keeps getting taken down'.

"There were two further posts, one stated 'Expose the nonce'. Another gave the witness's address and stated, 'Greenock, he is a nonce'.

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"The accused posted a video of the witness walking down a communal path near his address and said, 'Share troops, Facebook keeps taking it down. The [expletive deleted] was taking pictures of my daughter just out the shower'.

"The witness was alarmed as the picture showed his car registration outside his address. He contacted police because of the comments made by others on the Facebook posts."

Freeman was arrested days later and admitted posting the material online.

Solicitor Mr Gallagher said: "CCTV cameras were put up for other issues and he noted from them that the neighbour had been walking down a shared path and had got his phone out.

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"The accused interpreted that in a certain way, he did report it to police but nothing came of it."

Sheriff Colin Bissett said: "Clearly alcohol has had an effect here, he reacted in a quite bizarre fashion."

The sheriff told Freeman: "Your conduct must have caused the witness some considerable alarm and upset and the court has to take a serious view of it.

"I am persuaded, however, that you are taking steps to address the underlying problems that have caused this ridiculous behaviour."

Freeman, of Holmscroft Avenue, was fined £840, payable at £100 per month.