A teenager has been given an unpaid work order for “immature” threats against his twin brother’s pregnant girlfriend.
Cameron Milne sent text messages saying he could ruin his brother’s life “in seconds” after the sibling blocked his repeated efforts to contact him at a time when he was abusing legal highs.
Milne, 19, of Emislaw Drive, Arbroath, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court, where he admitted sending offensive text messages of a threatening or abusive nature to the 17-year-old woman on June 21.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said the victim was 23 weeks pregnant at the time of the offence and Milne had started messaging her after he failed in attempts to reach his brother.
After a series of menacing texts, he sent one saying: “I’m going to ruin your family like you ruined mine. I hope your house has good locks.”
The victim was frightened by the tone of the messages and contacted police.
The court heard Milne was fully cooperative with officers and admitted the offence.
Defence solicitor Nick Markowski said Milne was 18 at the time of the incident and relations with his brother had now improved.
“It was immature behaviour by Mr Milne. He was misusing legal highs and his brother was becoming increasingly frustrated at him mooching money for drugs.
“A lot of water has passed under the bridge and he now babysits for them.”
Mr Markowski added: “Although he was sending these texts, there were messages going in the other direction.
“He would apologise to the court and is now living in Arbroath and attempting to set himself up as a self-employed roofer.”
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio ordered Milne to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work under a six-month community payback order.