Man launched Xbox out of bedroom window in 'feisty' row with partner

Pictured is Dylan Ritchie outside Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

An Aberdeen man “lost the plot in a spectacular style” by throwing his games console out the window after accusing his partner of cheating on him.

Having previously admitted acting in a threatening manner towards the woman, Dylan Ritchie appeared for sentencing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.

Fiscal depute Alison Reid said: “At about midnight the accused was playing a computer game in the bedroom.

“The complainer wanted to go to bed and asked to keep the noise down.”

The court heard the 24-year-old punched the television then began shouting at the woman about messages with another man he had read on her phone.

Ritchie left the property for a short time and, on his return, found the front door was locked.

Mrs Reid added: “When he re-entered the property he started to throw household objects as well as his own mobile phone, which damaged a wall.

“He proceeded upstairs and threw a deckchair from the balcony to the ground and threw his Xbox from the bedroom window, causing it to smash.”

Ritchie’s partners asked a neighbour to phone the police while he went outside and threw a kitchen chair into another garden.

Defence agent Graham Morrison said the incident was “out of character” for Ritchie, a first-time offender, and said his client “takes full responsibility” for his actions.

Mr Morrison said: “He was working as a welder but got laid off during the Covid-19 crisis and has low self-esteem about it.

“He described this incident as drink-fuelled.

“They were both feisty but he lost the plot.”

Sheriff Philip Mann said: “What we heard was an episode of really childish behaviour.

“I don’t really think it can be described as anything other than a child throwing a tantrum.

“I can understand you had been drinking and you thought there had been issues of infidelity but you have to realise you have to be grown-up and deal with these issues without losing the plot.”

Ritchie, of Bishopsloch Row, Dyce, was ordered to complete 50 hours of unpaid work within the next year.