A 42-year-old man was yesterday jailed for five months after admitting acting in a threatening and abusive behaviour towards his pregnant partner in Shetland.
Norman Donald, of Leaside, Mossbank, appeared from custody for sentencing at Lerwick Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to committingthe offence at an address in Mossback on September 23.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said a neighbour had heard Donald shouting and swearing and then called police.
Officers had to force entry to the house and found the complainer in a distressed state.
Donald was already subject to a community payback order at the time for a previous similar offence.
Defence solicitor Liam McAllister said Donald was well aware that he was too old for this “type of behaviour” and added he had the support of his parents in trying to address his alcohol issues.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank told Donald that his conduct had been “wholly unacceptable”. This was compounded, the sheriff added, by the fact he had been sentenced for another domestic office in August this year.
He added: “On this occasion you have crossed the custody threshold, not only to punish you but also to deter others,” the sheriff said.
The jail term was backdated to September 24 when Donald was first taken into custody. The sheriff also imposed a 15-month non-harassment order.