An angry boyfriend threatened to slit his partner’s throat and set their home on fire after smashing a window with a rock, during a day-long disturbance that caused £1,000 worth of damage.
But Dennis Adams was spared jail at Aberdeen Sheriff Court where his girlfriend of four years repeatedly called out the words “thank you” from the public gallery.
The 39-year-old was first witnessed shouting and screaming at the woman when she opened their front door to a painter and decorator at 11.40am on September 9 this year.
Fiscal depute Ryan Diamond said: “The decorator entered and observed him to be agitated and acting in an aggressive manner.
“He then kicked a bedroom door and entered the bedroom, smashing and banging around within.”
The tradesman left and Adams was then heard packing his belongings before the sound of a “loud smash” came from the bedroom.
“The complainer entered to find that a rock has been thrown through the window and that her television and wardrobe were both damaged,” the fiscal added.
Adams caused £1,000 worth of damage at the property on Mansfield Road in Aberdeen, the court was told.
He left the home but returned five minutes later and tried to kick the property’s door in, to get back inside.
But he was held back by his partner and her friend who both leaned against the door.
When police arrived, he was moved on, but he returned shortly after to collect his possessions.
And during another return visit at 6pm on the same day, Adams became threatening.
‘I am going to slit your throat’
“He returned to the communal hallway but was refused entry and could be heard screaming and shouting,” the fiscal explained.
“At that time, he made a threatening remark towards the complainer which was, ‘I am going to slit your throat and put your house on fire’.
“Again, police were asked to attend. But at that time he was not traced. He was later traced, cautioned and charged on October 10.”
Adams admitted a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour.
His defence agent John Hardie said background reports showed an element of “perceived victim blaming” but stressed there was an element of provocation.
“He fully acknowledges that his behaviour on that day was an entirely inappropriate reaction to the situation,” the solicitor added.
Girlfriend supportive in court
Sheriff Andrew Miller said Adams’ record was “concerning” but noted there was “no prior offending towards this partner or previous partners”.
He added that there’d been “no opportunity for him to carry out a community sentence for a very long time”.
Adams, of Spittal Walk, Aberdeen, was handed 100 hours of unpaid work and a one-year supervision order as a direct alternative to custody.
Sheriff Miller did not impose a non-harassment order, a decision welcomed by Adams’ partner who has remained in a relationship with him since the violent incidents.
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