The conduct of a Fife domestic abuser who has been jailed for three and a half years was “precisely what the Domestic Abuse Act was designed to criminalise”.
Blair Matthews appeared by video link from HMP Kilmarnock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court to be sentenced.
Jurors had found him guilty of a near-nine-month campaign of domestic abuse towards his former partner.
44-year-old Matthews was subject to a non-harassment order banning him from contacting the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
However, he regularly terrorised her, including entering her home uninvited, touching her and chasing her car.
Sheriff Charles MacNair QC said: “This case has a significant sexual element.
“You were found guilty of almost a year of abuse towards (your victim), which behaviour was precisely the sort of behaviour which the Domestic Abuse Act was designed to criminalise.
“This was controlling behaviour, abusive behaviour and has clearly caused very significant harm.
“I have seen her very eloquent victim impact statement.
“I take into account that the impact on her related not just to this offending.
“I’m entirely satisfied that only a significant custodial sentence is appropriate.”
The sheriff noted Matthews’ victim remains fearful even though he has been on remand awaiting Monday’s sentencing hearing.
Sheriff MacNair jailed the weeping bully for 42 months, backdated to March 27.
Catalogue of domestic abuse
The non-harassment order did nothing to stop Matthews from constantly terrorising the woman between April 2020 and mid-January of 2021 at locations including the A92, Lochore Meadows and a named Fife village.
The court previously heard he followed her vehicle, overtaking and slamming on the brakes in front of her, causing her to take evasive action.
He repeatedly approached and followed the woman and tried to engage in conversation and showed up at her home and entered uninvited.
He repeatedly touched the woman’s breasts and buttocks and refused to leave her home when asked.
On one occasion, he forced the door, causing it to strike her on the body and injure her.
Matthews also threw a tin at a door there, damaging the door.
Sexual violence
The Cardenden man was found to have pinned the woman down to a sofa and rubbed his body against her.
He seized her hand and forced it into the waistband of his trousers before exposing himself and forcing her to perform a sex act on him.
During his campaign of abuse, Matthews shouted, swore and threw car keys and repeatedly contacted her by phone, text and email.
Matthews repeatedly bought the woman gifts, arranged for shopping to be delivered to her home and left shopping and other items at her door.
He also threatened to kill himself.
Banned from park
Following his release, Matthews – who lost his business and home after breaking his neck in a hit and run – will be under licence for a further 18 months.
He will be on the Sex Offenders Register for the remainder of his life and Sheriff MacNair also issued a lifelong non-harassment order.
Matthews will be prohibited from contacting the woman or another named female, or entering the village in which she lives.
Also as part of the order, Matthews was banned from entering Lochore Meadows country park for the rest of his life.
