A Buckie man who smashed his former girlfriend’s car window with a plant pot told police he “could have done a lot worse”.
Keiron Ritchie subjected Adelaide Walker to a “frightening affair” after spotting her car outside his co-worker’s home in Buckie.
Elgin Sheriff Court heard yesterday that the 22-year-old smashed the window of the Vauxhall Corsa on August 1, and cracked the windscreen of the car on December 12.
On both occasions, Miss Walker was in Paul Blake’s house.
Ritchie, of 20 Reidhaven Street, Buckie, also smashed a window at Mr Blake’s home on Robert Court on August 1.
He previously admitted four charges of damaging Miss Walker’s car, sending her a threatening or aggressive message and damaging a window at Mr Blake’s home.
Fiscal Ruaridh McAllister confirmed the total damage caused was £240.
Defence solicitor Michael O’Neill confirmed Ritchie and Miss Walker’s relationship was now over.
He said: “He was very emotional at the time. It is clear that the relationship had completely broken down.”
Mr O’Neill said Ritchie and Mr Blake worked for the same employer and their shifts had to be rearranged so they did not see each other.
When Ritchie saw his former girlfriend’s car parked on St Peter’s Road on December 12 he text her to say he would “go mental” if she was still at Mr Blake’s home.
About 20 minutes later Miss Walker’s car windscreen was cracked by a plant pot.
When questioned by police Ritchie admitted causing the damage to the Vauxhall Corsa on both occasions and to the house window.
Mr McAllister said: “When cautioned and charged he replied he thought it was relatively reasonable and said ‘I could have done a lot worse.'”
Ritchie was sentenced to 80 hours of unpaid work, was placed under supervision for one year and was ordered to pay £240 in compensation.