Thurso man made angry threats to ex after being dumped

Wick Sheriff Court heard about Asa Bailey's angry reaction after his long-term partner ended their relationship and left him.

He got drunk and sent the woman two threatening text messages in the early hours of March 31.

One of them stated: "I will end your life and hand myself in with your head in my hands. I won't think twice. This is just a warning... I mean business."

Bailey (28) pleaded guilty to having behaved in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause a reasonable person fear and alarm, and was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid community work.

Fiscal David Barclay said that Bailey's former partner, who had moved south, reported the matter at her local police station. She was said to have been relieved that Bailey had admitted the offence and that she didn't require to give evidence in a trial.

Mr Barclay added that the woman did not wish to have any contact with the accused.

Solicitor Patrick O Dea said that Bailey, of Brownhill Road, Thurso, had turned to alcohol after receiving a text from his ex ending their relationship.

The solicitor said that Bailey appreciated that his actions would have upset her and was ashamed. He had stated that he "never meant anything by the messages" and that he would "never have hurt her".

Mr O Dea said that Bailey's life had been "chaotic" prior to the offence but it was now more stable and he was addressing certain issues with the support of his GP.

Sheriff David Sutherland observed that Bailey had not been in trouble for some time and was satisfied that a custodial sentence would not be appropriate.

In addition to the unpaid work imposed, however, the sheriff made Bailey subject to a non-harassment order banning him from having any contact with his former partner for three years.