Perth man gets jail for breaching bail

A Perth man turned up at his ex-partner’s flat demanding to get in.

And when he was refused entry, 34-year-old James McColl started kicking the front door, causing £100 worth of damage.

When he was taken to police headquarters, officers also found £27 worth of cannabis in his possession, Perth Sheriff Court was told.

He was given time to reflect on his behaviour when he was jailed for a total of 12 months.

The accused, of Firbank Road, admitted that on February 5 this year, at a house in the city’s Culliven Court, he repeatedly kicked the front door, damaging it - and was then found with the Class B drug.

He was subsequently granted bail from the Perth court on February 6, with a condition not to approach or contact Claire Rylance.

But he admitted being discovered in her house on March 21.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said the bail offence came to light following an anonymous call to police about 1pm on March 21.

Officers went to investigate but Ms Rylance initially denied he was there.

The house was searched and he was found hiding behind a bedroom door.

Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said McColl and his partner had fallen out and he had been drinking.

“When he returned, she wouldn’t let him in to get his clothes. As a result he kicked the front door, damaging it.”

The couple were now reconciled and the breach of bail took place after he received a phone call from her to help with a family situation, which he did.

Imposing the jail term, Sheriff Gillian Wade told him: “You have got an appalling record of domesticallyaggravated offences, of which clearly this is one.

“You also have a significant record for breaching court orders. On that basis, I see no alternative to a period in custody.”