Man sent abusive messages to former partner on What’sApp

A man who sent 15 abusive messages in quick succession to his former partner on What’sApp was handed a yearlong non-harrassment order at Perth Sheriff Court.

Kevin McLaren, 34, of Crieff Road, Perth, will not be able to approach, contact or communicate with the woman in any way.

The court heard the couple had been in a relationship for 10 years before it ended in February last year.

Relations between them deteriorated towards the end of 2017 when the pair blocked each other from social media sites.

Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said; “At around 9.12pm on April 10, the accused sent his former partner a message on What’sApp (a group chat site) and then sent a further 14 messages in quick succession, all of which were of an abusive nature.

“The woman didn’t reply to any of these messages and blocked the accused from sending her any more messages on What’sApp.”

The court was told McLaren was later arrested then interviewed by police and admitted sending the messages.

Solicitor Linda Clark, defending, said her client was dealing with a “significant” alcohol problem.

McLaren admitted that on on April 10 at an address in Grampian Court, Perth, he sent messages to his former partner that were grossly offensive and threatening.

Setencing McLaren, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told him: “There is no excuse for this behaviour.”

McLaren was also given a community payback order requiring him to carry out 240 hours’ unpaid work and put on a supervision programme for one year.