A coercive Angus bully whose campaign of terror against his ex-partner included trying to stop her wearing make-up because he believed it meant she was cheating on him has been jailed.
Repeat domestic abuser Kevin Durno has also been made the subject of a two-year non-harassment order banning him from going near his victim after a sheriff rejected a plea for the 38-year-old to be freed so he could keep his business afloat.
Durno, of Elmbank Crescent, Arbroath appeared from custody having previously admitted an offence of engaging in an abusive course of conduct between May 22 and 31.
It included attempting to stop her wearing cosmetics by stating this was evidence she was cheating on him.
Durno also repeatedly telephoned her mobile phone and landline, forcing her to block his number, repeatedly called her offensive names, made threats of violence and went, uninvited, to a house in Arbroath’s Great Michael Road to make threats.
He also admitted engaging in further abusive conduct towards the woman at various locations in Arbroath between June 3 and 7.
The 38-year-old appeared for sentence, having been on remand since June 20 for the preparation of a criminal justice report.
Defence solicitor Angela McLardy said while Durno recognised the seriousness of the offences and the risk of a prison sentence, he hoped to retain his liberty to keep his business running and two employees in work.
Sheriff Gregor Murray told the accused: “Your record already demonstrates amply your propensity for domestic abuse over a number of years.
“Each of these two offences took place over a significant period of time.
“The second happened on the day you were bailed while you were subject to a Community Payback Order from a different court for domestic abuse towards the same lady.”
The sheriff added: “I am genuinely sorry that the custodial sentence I am about to impose will have consequences for your employees.
“However, the only person who has caused that difficulty is you.”
Durno was jailed for a total of 14 months and made the subject of the 24-month non-harassment order.
The accused had previously been jailed by the same sheriff for domestic bail breach offences which were branded “sly and mean”.
They occurred the day the accused had been released from court and the day after.
