Wick man breached bail by contacting his ex on Snapchat

A Wick man who flouted a bail condition not to contact his former partner avoided a prison sentence and was instead fined £300.

The woman contacted the police after receiving a series of online messages and phone calls from John Macaulay between December 23 and 26, last year.

Fiscal depute Grant McLennan told Wick Sheriff Court that the online traffic was general conversation, as opposed to anything untoward, but it breached the court order banning him from having any contact with his ex.

Police who interviewed her were given access to Snapchat messages on her mobile phone.

Mr McLennan added that Macaulay (35) became aware that officers were wanting to speak to him and contacted them. He was arrested and charged with the bail breach.

Solicitor Karyn Stewart said that Macaulay, of Breadalbane Terrace, Wick, had tried to distance himself from his former partner by arranging to move away from the area but that didn’t work out.

She added: “He accepts he should not have contacted her.”

Sheriff Neil Wilson said he had been minded to impose a custodial sentence but would instead substitute a fine.