Man fined for vile threats made to ex

A dim-witted Coatbridge man thought a good way to win back his ex-partner was to shout and swear at her – and threaten to gouge her eyes out.

Thomas McAlinden turned up at a house on Coll Drive, Coatbridge, on June 25 and asked the woman to give their relationship“another try”.

When she spurned his request, McAlinden refused to leave, shouted, swore and behaved in a threatening and abusive manner, placing his victim in a state of fear and alarm.

The 31-year-old, of High Coats in Coatbridge, pleaded guilty and was back in court last Wednesday after a deferral for background reports.

Procurator fiscal Yolande Love described lovesick McAlinden’s callous conduct:“The accused and witness had been in a relationship for five years at the time, which ended in May.

“At 2pm, the witness was with friends in the kitchen. The accused entered and asked her if she would give the relationship another try.

“She refused and the accused became angry and said he would take her house and money from her.

“He shouted,‘I’ll be back’and‘I’ll gouge your f****** eyes out’.

“He left and returned at 5.25pm. He was told by the witness’friends that she was no longer at the premises.

“Police were contacted and they found the accused at the front door.”

Sheriff Petra Collins opted to hit McAlinden in the wallet with a financial penalty, telling him:“You will be fined £150, reduced from £200 to take into account the stage you pleaded guilty at.”