A serial Angus domestic abuser has been sent back to jail for bombarding his ex-girlfriend with silent calls hours after being released from prison for offences against her.
”High risk” Kevin McCallum’s victim was at a police station reporting the matter when one of the calls came, and officers saw the 25-year-old’s distress for themselves.
McCallum, of Glenclova Terrace, Forfar, appeared from custody at the town’s sheriff court on Monday following the weekend offences, which fiscal depute Hannah Kennedy said involved around 25 phone calls.
They were made between March 9 and 12 and included silent calls and requests by the accused for his victim to meet him.
Ms Kennedy said: ”The information I have is that within hours of being released the complainer, who has been the subject of domestic violence at the hands of the accused, started getting calls.
”The control that the accused is attempting to exert over the complainer is worrying to the Crown and to the police. He will not let it go. The complainer is at high risk from the accused should he be given his liberty.”
She added: ”The woman started to receive silent calls from a withheld number and was so concerned that she and a friend went to Montrose police office to report the matter.
”While they were there he (McCallum) rang the complainer and it was very clear to the officer that she became visibly distressed.
Defence agent Norman Fraser said McCallum had an interdict against him banning him from approaching the woman.
He said: ”I know his record is not favourable, but he advises me that he was going today to make an appointment with his GP as he feels he is suffering from depression or the like and believes that has contributed to his behaviour.
”He is worried about going back to Perth Prison it is something that does not appeal to him.”
He added: ”His parents have more or less reached the end of their tether with him.”
Sheriff Kevin Veal said: ”We have a situation where the record has 13 previous convictions and it seems that there are at least four offences of assault with a domestic violence aspect.
”Attached to that it is important to note that there was a breach of bail conditions for which he was sent to prison. That four-month period was barely up when he is released and within hours has committed this offence.”
He added: ”The real problem I face is what guarantee do I have that by giving him his liberty he will leave the complainer well alone?”
The sheriff added: ”This girl has got to live in peace and if the only way to get this message home to him is enforced detention then that is what it will be.”
He ordered McCallum to serve the unexpired portion of his last sentence and imposed a further four-month jail term, to run consecutively.