A MAN arrested during a bomb alert in East Renfrewshire has been refused bail three times by a court.

Darren Steele was detained after emergency services were called to a property at Pilmuir Holdings, in Newton Mearns, earlier this month.

Following his arrest, bomb disposal units were asked to search the house and grounds.

Steele, 27, appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court on February 3, charged with abusive and threatening behaviour, and was remanded in custody.

He returned to court a week later and was again refused bail.

Steele's lawyers appealed that decision on February 13 but were unsuccessful.

At the time of the February 2 incident, police stressed there was no wider threat to the general public.

The occupants of two neighbouring homes, including a farm, were evacuated as a precaution.

Investigators remained at the scene for several days and a road leading to the property was sealed off.

Last week, the Crown Office confirmed that Steele had been remanded in custody and fully committed for trial.

A spokesperson said he has been charged under the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010, which relates to abusive and threatening behaviour.

It carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison.