Man in threat to slit his partner’s throat

An angry boyfriend threatened to slit his partner’s throat and set their home on fire after smashing a window with a rock, during a day-long disturbance that caused £1,000 worth of damage.

But Dennis Adams was spared jail at Aberdeen Sheriff Court where his girlfriend of four years repeatedly called out the words “thank you” from the public gallery.

The 39-year-old was first witnessed shouting and screaming at the woman when she opened their front door to a painter and decorator at 11.40am on September 9 this year.

Adams then caused £1,000 worth of damage, including throwing a rock through a bedroom window, at the property on Mansfield Road in Aberdeen, the court was told.

He left the home but returned five minutes later and tried to kick the property’s door in, to get back inside.

When police arrived, he was moved on.

During another return visit at 6pm on the same day, Adams became threatening.

“At that time, he made a threatening remark towards the complainer which was, ‘I am going to slit your throat and put your house on fire’,” fiscal depute Ryan Diamond explained.

Sheriff Andrew Miller said Adams’ record was “concerning” but noted there was “no prior offending towards this partner or previous partners”.

Adams, of Spittal Walk, Aberdeen, was handed 100 hours of unpaid work and a oneyear supervision order as a direct alternative to custody.

Sheriff Miller did not impose a nonharassment order, a decision welcomed by Adams’ partner who has remained in a relationship with him since the incidents.