A north-east man who stole his girlfriend’s car and threatened to write it off has been spared jail.
Ross Stronach and his partner Linda Milton had a heated row on October 30 last year, following his concerns she may have been cheating on him.
In order to cool down Miss Milton left the home she shared with him, and headed round to see her friend Karen Reid.
After parking her motor on George Street, Huntly, Miss Milton and Miss Reid visited their local pub for a drink.
However, shortly afterwards they were joined by Stronach, who tried to convince her to come home.
When she refused the 25-year-old stole Miss Milton’s handbag and made off with her white Vauxhall Mokka.
He then made a series of calls from his partner’s phone to Miss Reid where he threatened to “smash up” her car and make a bonfire out of her clothes.
After that he sent a picture message, which was taken outside their home, of a small fire which was lit next to her car.
Yesterday Stronach appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court to be sentenced having previously admitted committing three charges against him.
He admitted stealing the handbag and its contents before driving away Miss Milton’s car without her consent.
He also admitted sending her messages which were grossly offensive, obscene or menacing by making threats to damage her property.
Sheriff Alison Stirling ordered Stronach, of Scurdargue, Rhynie, Huntly, to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work in the community and placed him under supervision for nine months. She told him the sentence was imposed as an alternative to jail.
