Feared for baby safety

Row was over toilet paper

A pregnant Perth woman feared for her safety - and that of her unborn child - during a lengthy argument with her boyfriend.

Perth Sheriff Court was told on Monday that 21-yearold James Sinclair lost the plot after a row over the lack of toilet paper in the bathroom.

He started shouting and swearing at the woman, who is due to give birth in the “next week”.

She was so frightened that she retreated to the bathroom and texted her grandmother.

She then attempted to contact the police but on hearing that he “burst into the bathroom” and grabbed her by the clothing, depute fiscal Rebecca Kynaston told the court.

“He then spat on her. She was concerned for her safety and that of her unborn child,” added the fiscal.

“She was crying throughout the incident.

“She doesn’t wish to rekindle the relationship.”

Sinclair, of Strathtay Road, admitted an amended charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards his then partner and shouting and swearing at her in her flat at Wallace Court, Perth, on August 28 this year.

Part of the charge which claimed that he threatened to kill her, harm her unborn baby and then wreck the house was deleted.

Allegations that he seized her by the hair and attempted to bite her were also removed.

The fiscal explained that the victim was seven months’ pregnant at the time and is soon to give birth.

The argument erupted about 11am and she made attempts to calm him down but he “became more angry and aggressive”.

Sinclair left the house but was traced by the police two days later.

Solicitor Paul Ralph said his client was “under pressure” due to the upcoming birth and confirmed that the argument had started over a toilet roll.

He asked that sentence be deferred for a background report and that the bail conditions banning contact with his ex be amended so he could visit their child.

Sheriff William Wood deferred sentence until December 21 for a Community Justice Social Work report but refused to amend the bail conditions.

“Clearly this was a sustained incident, in the course of which you took hold of her.

“She was in a very vulnerable condition and will be an even more vulnerable position as the birth approaches.”

She was crying throughout the incident