The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Partner of terminally ill woman in court on abuse charges.
Page 10
A non-harassment order is being sought against the partner of a Lochgelly woman diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.
The Courier told last year how young mum Tyla Livingstone was told she had cancer and would not see her son grow up.
The 22-year-old was told she may only have two years to live.
She was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour just a month after giving birth and has spoke of her anguish at not seeing little Preston grow up.
Her former partner Mark Bratchie, 28, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, following an incident at the couple’s home in Lochgelly.
There was a struggle between them and Bratchie smashed her mobile phone by throwing it to the ground.
He has been placed on a bail order banning him from entering Lochgelly.
Bratchie, now living at an address on Mitchell Crescent, Hill of Beath, admitted that on May 10 at Main Street, Lochgelly, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by repeatedly sending electronic messages to his former partner, which were abusive and threatened violence.
He also struggled with her and smashed her mobile phone by throwing it to the ground.
Defence solicitor Gordon Martin said the couple were in a relationship up to that day.
He said: “She’s been diagnosed with a terminal illness and there’s a child of the relationship.
“The dispute was about who will be looking after the child.”
Sheriff James MacDonald called for reports and granted bail on the condition Bratchie does not enter Lochgelly.
He observed Bratchie has “an extensive record” including previous convictions for domestic offences.
Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said a non-harassment order will be sought at sentencing on June 5.
Tyla Livingstone was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer, a grade-four glioblastoma last April, four weeks after the arrival of her son.
She has been given between two and five years to live.
Last year she said her mother, Leah, will look after Preston after she dies.
The dispute was about who will be looking after the child. DEFENCE SOLICITOR GORDON MARTIN