A man who murdered two of his neighbours before leaping to his death had previously threatened to kill others. 

Hugh Gallacher, 56, threatened to petrol-bomb the flats where he lived and posted a knife through his letterbox to threaten police officers outside. 

The offences were committed eight years before he launched his murderous stabbing attack on Tracy Gabriel and Keith Taylor in a tower block flat in the Tillydrone area of Aberdeen. 

Mr Gallacher stabbed Ms Gabriel, 40, and Mr Taylor, 43, to death in Ms Gabriel's flat in Donside Court last Tuesday. 

He then leapt to his death from a 12th-floor balcony last week after murdering them. 

But Mr Gallacher's violent past has now come to light with the revelation of his previous offences eight years ago. 

In May 2008, Mr Gallacher appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court where he admitted to threatening to murder his neighbour Douglas Falconer at his then-home in Aulton Court. 

He further admitted to locking himself in his own flat and threatening police by posting a knife through the door, before threatening to petrol bomb the entire building. 

It is understood he had been drinking heavily at the time. 

In the wake of the murders last week, neighbours said Mr Gallacher had a grudge against his victims and was jealous of their friendship. 

He had previously been in a relationship with Ms Gabriel, although neighbours do not believe there was a love triangle between Mr Gallacher and his victims. 

Mr Taylor lived in the building with his partner Linda. 

On the night of the double-murder, neighbours said they heard a massive row between the three. 

One neighbour said: "We knew Tracy and Keith and they said that Hugh had been after them for a while. 

"I think they were just friends, I don't think there was a love triangle or anything like that. 

"When I first met Hugh there was something about him I didn't like. 

"I heard a few weeks ago he had gone out looking for them and he used to sometimes wait outside the block to fight with them." 

Another neighbour added: "I knew Hughey, he always seemed like an all right guy who liked cycling. 

"I know Keith better though and all the stuff about a love triangle is just nonsense, he's been with his partner for years."