Ex-lover made death threats on the phone

and the situation would “escalate”.

Heron admitted that on February 11, 2019, at a house in Stanley, he sent a number of audio messages to Ms Kelly, shouting and swearing at her and repeatedly making violent threats.

He also breached a February 20 bail order from the Perth court on March 4 and 5 – and also a June 11 order – by making abusive remarks towards her.

Depute fiscal Catriona MacQueen said that they had been in a relationship for around two-and-a-half years but that had ended in September/October of the previous year.

They had maintained regular contact after that and although they talked by phone, he hadn’t caused her “any particular problems”.

In January of this year, she entered into a new relationship and informed the accused of this.

“He accepted it but informed the complainer he wasn’t happy about it,” the court was told.

He continued to get in touch with Ms Kelly by phone, apologising to her on several occasions.

But the fiscal added: “On several occasions he was clearly under the influence of drink or drugs at the time.

“The calls were long and involved, with the accused rambling and at times speaking nonsense.”

But the following phrases could be heard: “I’ll find out where that guy lives and f***ing kill him. You’re next to - he’s a dead man.”

He added shortly afterwards: “This is not a threat but a promise.”

After being free on the June 11 bail order, he contacted the woman 41 times from a withheld number, all made within a two-hour period.

She answered the majority of the calls and recognised his voice.

“He said he wanted the complainer to forgive him and asked for a few minutes of her time,” the court heard.

A solicitor for the accused said he had previously been made the subject of a compulsion order and might be suffering from an emotionally unstable personality disorder.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis deferred sentence until August 7 for the defence to obtain a psychiatric report.

Heron, of Cliffview Court, Cliffburn Terrace, Arbroath, was remanded in custody meantime.

Sheriff Foulis told him: “I consider there’s a significant risk you will continue to offend.”