Wife’s terror after row at sheltered housing

Terrified woman made panic button call during abuse

A frightened woman was forced to activate the ‘ panic button’ at her sheltered housing complex when her drunk husband started acting aggressively towards her.

John Dunn told his wife she was a “waste of space” before uttering offensive remarks at her.

Dunn, aged 69, of Viewfield Road, Ayr appeared from custody at Ayr Sheriff Court on Tuesday,

November 12.

He admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards his wife, Louisa Dunn, and that he did shout, swear and utter offensive remarks.

The offence took place on October 14 this year in Bradan Road, Troon.

Dunn further admitted breaching his bail conditions on October 17, by entering Bradan Road, Troon, without a reasonable excuse.

Fiscal Depute Scott Toal said: “The accused and his wife were married for 13 years. They have no children.

“It seems the accused came back at 5.30pm under the influence and his wife was in bed.

“A minor argument came about and he said she was a waste of space. And told her to f*** off.

“The accused continued to swear and so his wife activated the community alarm, linked to a monitoring station.

“Police were called and the wife was in her bed and the accused in the living room.

“Officers went to the monitoring station and heard the conversation, lasting 14 minutes and heard the complainer say “leave me alone.”

“The accused was heard swearing at his wife and he was taken away.”

At the police station Dunn told officers he had sworn at her.

Mr Toal outlined the circumstances of the bail breach.

He said: “He phoned his wife asking if he could attend.

“He was told, though, that it was a breach of his bail conditions.

“But the accused arrived in a taxi and under the influence. She let him in but activated the intercom.

“Officers attended and again he was arrested.”

Defence solicitor Steven Maxwell said: “I am hoping the last three weeks in custody have had a sobering effect on him.”

Sheriff David Bicket sentenced Dunn to a community payback order, consisting of 12 months of supervision.

A review and progress report on Dunn’s payback order will take place on December 10.

Dunn was bailed under the standard conditions.