Drunk lout terrified his sleeping girlfriend

Cops called as he banged on door

A boozed- up yob who sparked late - night mayhem at his girlfriend’s home has been given a stern warning by a sheriff.

John McNeil, 34, banged on the door, shouted through the letterbox, and demanded he be let into the house as Ms Fiona McEwan and her three children slept inside.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard McNeil raised such a racket at around 1am at the house in the town’s George Street that Ms McEwan contacted police when he refused to leave.

Fiscal depute Pamela Flynn said: “The accused and the complainer had been in a relationship for six months. At around 12.40am she was at home with her three children when she became aware of someone shouting.

“She became aware of shouting and banging out in the landing. She recognised the voice as belonging to the accused.

“He was shouting through the letter box. He was asking her to let him in, and asking who she had in the house with her. The complainer refused to comply with his request.”

The court heard McNeil persisted banging on the door, demanding he be let in. Ms McEwan contacted police as she feared for her safety.

When cops attended they saw McNeil staggering out of the close. He claimed he had left his phone in the house and he was told to leave the family alone.

However at around 2.30am Ms McEwan became aware of a noise round the back gardens and called police again.

The fiscal added: “She contacted police again. The accused was in the back garden area and she was frightened he was going to get inside.

“He was shouting ‘I want my f****** phone,’ and police arrived and he was arrested.”

McNeil, of Wardrop Street in Paisley, admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner by shouting, swearing, and repeatedly banging on the door to demand entry on March 13.

Defence agent Charlie McCusker said McNeil deeply regretted the incident which was caused by his drinking too much.

He said: “The accused was clearly a nuisance. There was an argument and he left his phone. He accepts he had taken too much to drink. They are still in a relationship. He helps look after the children and he has expressed his remorse over the matter.”

Sheriff Craig Harris told McNeil: “I will adjourn sentencing to call for reports and a restriction of liberty assessment.

“Your bail conditions mean you do not enter George Street where Ms McEwan lives.”

The accused will discover his fate next month when he returns to court for sentencing.