Jail for harassing ex-partner
A LERWICK man who breached a non-harassment order by repeatedly sending his ex-partner emails and threatening her new boyfriend has been sent to prison for six months.
At Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Paul Stevens, of 5 Murrayston, admitted sending the messages between 21 January and 24 January this year at an address in Cunningsburgh.
The 46 year old also pled guilty to pushing a police officer, placing him in a headlock, attempting to butt him on the head and kicking him on the leg at his home address on 24 January.
At the Lerwick police station on Market Street on the same day, Stevens also admitted assaulting a police constable and kicking him on the leg.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told the court that the man’s ex-partner first received an email relating to an outstanding bill.
Two days later she received another email, after which she contacted the police, before another message arrived in her inbox.
When police attended Stevens’ home about the emails he struggled violently and officers had to threaten to use CS gas to calm him down, the court heard.
Stevens also admitted sending a voicemail message that threatened violence to his ex-partner’s new boyfriend on 10 October from the Lerwick Port Authority building.
He also sent a voicemail message from the same location on 23 or 24 January this year, which contained a threat of violence.
The fiscal said Stevens was seeking “revenge” following his split with the woman, which left her “constantly distressed and fearful”.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said in both instances his client had been drinking, with no recollection of his struggle with police.
He said Stevens was a man “unable to cope” with being unable to see his children.
He had since gained his own tenancy and co-operated fully with mental health and substance misuse teams.
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After adjourning the case for consideration, Sheriff Philip Mann said that while he understood the “frustration” that comes with a break-up, especially if children are involved, few cases ended up in the criminal court.
Saying he was not prepared to risk releasing Stevens, he jailed him for a total of six months.
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