Wick court’s warning for man who locked woman out in freezing conditions
A man locked his pregnant partner out of their home in near freezing conditions when she was wearing only her nightdress Wick Sheriff Court has heard.
Jonathon Todd (27) admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards the woman and was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work while subject to supervision and the rehabilitation Caledonian Programme.
The court heard that the incident occurred in the early hours of February 28, while the woman was trying to settle her baby which had woken at their then home in Sinclair Street, Halkirk.
Fiscal Depute Grant McLennan said that Todd spoke to the woman in a raised voice and she took the child downstairs after he accused her of not being capable of looking after the infant.
The youngster woke again and Todd swore at the woman.
Mr McLennan said the woman went outside for a cigarette at which point Todd locked the front and rear doors “leaving her outside in a temperature of 1 degree in her night attire.”
He said that police found the woman sitting on the front doorstep “in a distressed state."
Officers gained access to the property and Todd, now staying at The Crescent, Glengolly, was arrested and taken to Wick Police Station where he was cautioned and charged before appearing at the court the following day.
Sheriff Neil Wilson was told that Todd's behaviour had to be addressed and said that the Caledonian Programme had been recommended in a background report. The accused was agreeable to that course of action.
The sheriff said that, given the accused's record of offending, he would be justified in jailing him and told him: "What is saving you today is that you have not previously been subject to the programme."
The sheriff commented on Todd's "litany of blame towards his victim" and added: "That has to stop".