Flouted bail order by trying to contact ex-partner

Just two days after being freed on bail, with a special condition not to contact his ex-partner, a man flagrantly flouted the Perth Sheriff Court order by phoning her.

Thirty-seven-year-old Graeme Garrow, of Beechbank Cottage, High Street, Blairgowrie, wanted to collect some of his belongings.

But the woman began to record the call then contacted the police and he was arrested, the court was told this week.

He had his sentence deferred until February 3, when a NonHarassment Order will be considered.

And Sheriff Neil Bowie told him he had“just been persuaded”to allow him his liberty meantime.

Garrow appeared from custody to admit breaching the January 8, 2021, bail order banning him from approaching or contacting his former partner.

He did that by phoning her from a flat in Perth’s Grampian Court on January 10.

He was also subject to a further bail order of November 18 last year, also imposed at the Perth court.

Depute fiscal Kristina Kelly said the woman was at her sister’s home address when she got the call at 12.30pm.

“It was a no-called ID telephone call,”she explained.

“She answered it and began to record it.”

She heard the accused say: “Please speak to me - don’t hang up.”

The fiscal added:“She advised the accused she didn’t want to speak to him and he intimated he didn’t want to fight or argue.

“The complainer reminded the accused that there were bail conditions in place and the accused acknowledged he was aware of them.

“The woman then terminated the call and the police were contacted.”

Solicitor David Holmes said the accused was at present staying with his mother but had saved up £1100 as a deposit on a flat and was due to take entry on Friday.

“He wanted some bedding but was wrong to contact her and realises now how serious the matter is.

“He won’t trouble the complainer again.”

Again releasing Garrow on bail, Sheriff Bowie told him:“You should be under no illusions that any further breach of the bail conditions will result in you being taken into custody.

“And I can confidently say you will not get out next time.”

The accused will discover his fate next month when“other matters” will also be dealt with.

The sheriff asked the prosecution to find out the female’s attitude to a Non-Harassment Order being imposed, banning Garrow from having future contact.