Brute made chilling threats

A heartless Cairnhill man who verbally abused his pregnant partner – including threatening to petrol bomb her house – has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.

Steven McDonald, 37, shouted and swore and behaved aggressively towards the terrified woman following a row at a property on Cairnhope Avenue, where he now lives.

He also lunged at another woman who tried to intervene and told both of his victims that he would have family members “kick f*** out of them” during his disgusting rant on April 14.

McDonald owned up to his actions at Airdrie Sheriff Court and spent 10 weeks behind bars on remand before being released to allow for reports into his background.

He made his way back into the dock last week, when procurator fiscal Susan Campbell told the court: “The witness and accused were in a relationship and the witness was pregnant at the time.

“During the week, they had engaged in arguments. At 10.30am [on the day of the incident], the witness returned home and the accused began to shout and swear after she brought up him moving out.

“He called her a ‘slut’, ‘slag’ and ‘cow’. Another female attended and saw the witness was upset.

“The witness repeatedly asked the accused to leave and the second woman picked up an item which caused the accused to lunge at her.

“He then said, ‘I’ll get my sister, brother and his wife to come tomorrow and kick f*** out of you’.

“He also threatened to have the house petrol-bombed.

“Police attended and saw the accused was shouting. They asked him to calm down and he was conveyed to Coatbridge police office.”

Mitigating on his client’s behalf, defence solicitor Luke O’Curry said: “He received a night in the cells for his troubles and then 75 days in custody. He has no other matters outstanding.

“Clearly he instigated this argument. His behaviour was inappropriate, juvenile and unacceptable. He’s able to undertake unpaid work.

“He understands, as this is his fourth domestic abuse charge, that he risks a custodial sentence today.”

Sheriff Petra Collins then warned McDonald: “You are already on a community payback order and will be until June next year.

“In addition to this, you will do unpaid work; given that you have spent time on remand, this will be a community payback order with 80 hours’ work, to be completed within six months.

“This a direct alternative to custody, so if you breach the order and are brought back before me you can expect to go back to jail.”