Turned up at ex-partner’s home after leaving threat on voicemail
A 30-year-old Perth man who began using cannabis when he was just 11 - and started drinking two years later - turned up at his ex-partner’s home after leaving a series of voicemail threats.
In one of them, Steven McCole told her he was“on his way - and she better answer the door,”Perth Sheriff Court heard.
He also said he was“going to smash everyone in the house”- and he did not care if she contacted the police.
Despite his history of drug and alcohol abuse - at one time he was spending up to £200 a day to satisfy his cocaine habit - he had a community-based sentence imposed.
McCole, of Pomarium Street, will be supervised for two years and undertake alcohol and drug treatment.
He will also have to take part in the intensive two-year Caledonian Programme, set up to help men convicted of domestic abuse offences.
In addition, a two-year NonHarassment Order was imposed, banning him from contacting his former girlfriend or going to her flat.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told him the order was a last chance for him to get his life back on track.
But he added:“It’s not immediately apparent there are significant grounds for optimism but, in the circumstances, I am prepared to give it a try.”
McCole admitted contacting his ex on October 29, 2020, and leaving threatening voicemail messages on her phone.
He also shouted and swore, made threats and banged on the front door of her home.
Depute fiscal Sarah Wilkinson told the court the pair had been in a relationship for three years but had separated seven months ago.
The victim had“blocked”McCole on social media although they maintained an amicable relationship.
She ignored an initial communication from him at 6.15pm but shortly afterwards noticed there were three missed calls from him.
Two threatening voicemails were then left before she saw him approaching her flat.
“He was shouting and banging on the door and she felt uneasy due to his unpredictable and aggressive behaviour,”stated the depute fiscal.
“She made no attempt to answer the door nor to speak to the accused and contacted the police.”
Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said: “Clearly on this particular evening he was under the influence of alcohol and possibly other substances.
“He can’t remember behaving like that but accepts full responsibility for his actions.”
A background report acknowledged that he had“significant alcohol and drug issues”and the lawyer added:“He needs assistance.”
Sheriff Foulis recounted the accused’s problems with alcohol, cannabis, Valium and cocaine since around 2006.
He added:“The Caledonian Programme will require a certain self-examination on the part of Mr McCole if it is going to have any success at all in changing his attitude.”