Banned from contacting ex

A Perth man who made violent threats to his ex-partner after she failed to return the keys to his flat has been banned from contacting her for the next two years.

The non-harassment order was imposed on 31-year-old Michael Riddoch when he appeared for sentence at Perth Sheriff Court.

Sheriff William Wood noted that it was his fourth domestic-related offence but the first involving the victim.

The court heard he had been“sofa surfing”after his house keys were not handed back.

The accused, of Newhouse Road, will be supervised for two years and will have to complete the Caledonian Group Work Programme, an intensive course which addresses domestic abuse by men.

He will also have to complete 80 hours of unpaid work within the next three months.

He admitted that on September 2, 2019, at Newhouse Road, he sent messages to the woman, adopted an aggressive manner towards her and shouted and swore.

He also made abusive remarks and made violent threats.

Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said police were contacted by a member of the public in the early hours of the morning after Riddoch was seen punching and kicking the communal door to his property in Newhouse Road.

Solicitor Linda Clark said:“It was a crime of frustration which kicked the whole scenario off.

“She had a set of keys to his property and towards the end of the relationship he had repeatedly requested that they be returned.”

The lawyer said that the incident involving the victim was a“one-off” and the previous domestic offences didn’t relate to her.

Sheriff Wood said he was concerned a“pattern of behaviour”was emerging and imposed the two-year nonharassment order, banning him from approaching or contacting the latest victim in any way.