Abuser threatened to petrol bomb houses

DUNDEE’S much-anticipated Winterfest enjoyed its opening day on Saturday.

The Slessor Gardens event kicked off a day later than planned due to the red weather warning issued because of Storm Arwen.

But revellers were in the festive spirit as they enjoyed the Winterfest attractions including the ice rink, big wheel and Christmas market.

Our photographer Kim Cessford was there to capture the buzz around the event.

A coercive abuser attacked and verbally abused his former partner during a campaign of harassment.

Controlling Gavin Greer also threatened to petrol bomb the home of his victim’s brother as well as bombarding her with abusive calls and messages.

Greer is now facing a prison sentence after he admitted engaging in an abusive course of conduct towards the woman between June 2017 and December 2019 at multiple addresses in Dundee.

The city’s sheriff court heard how electrician Greer, 32, isolated the woman from her friends and family as well as repeatedly demanding to know her whereabouts.

He was caught after sending abusive messages to the woman – as she as being interviewed by police.

Greer and the woman met through work in January 2016 before the victim became pregnant in November that year.

During difficulties with morning sickness Greer demanded she stop speaking to her friends and family.

Fiscal depute Marie Lyons said: “She couldn’t cope and left her house to go to her brother’s address with the accused following in his car.

“The accused threatened to petrol bomb his house and the house of her friend.

“In July 2017, she split from the accused because she couldn’t take any more of his controlling behaviour.

“He threatened to kill himself but she made the split permanent.

“However, she took him back after feeling guilty.”

There were no issues between the pair for several weeks but Greer continued to isolate the woman from her loved ones.

The thug later pinned the woman against a wall and threw parts of a clothes horse at her.

The woman later ended the relationship but was inundated with messages and calls from Greer.

Greer would message the woman first thing in the morning to ask what she was doing and where she was going, as well as making insulting remarks.

Police became involved following an incident in a supermarket car park, when Greer parked alongside the woman’s vehicle and shouted at her asking why she didn’t respond to his communications.

The woman and her friend went to Maryfield police office to report Greer and during an interview with officers, he sent a number of abusive messages, which were seen by officers.

Greer, of Baldovan Terrace, pled guilty to behaving abusively towards his former partner.

Sheriff Paul Brown deferred sentence until next month for social work reports to be prepared.

His bail order was allowed to continue.