A Dundee painter and decorator has admitted arriving to harass his ex-girlfriend in a city multi and then threatening to torch the property.
The woman was with friends and expecting a delivery from a local shop when they buzzed to let Jamie Taylor into the building on January 21 this year.
He arrived at the door at Lansdowne Court, despite court orders to stay away from the woman, with whom he had been in an on-off relationship for two years.
Uninvited and unwanted
Fiscal depute Michael Dunlop told Dundee Sheriff Court the father-of-three was met by another, confused, occupant at the door at around 10.30pm.
Taylor pushed into the flat and said he was just going to sit there but after ten minutes, he became “irate”.
The 31-year-old made violent threats and told one of his ex-partner’s friends, “let’s take this outside,” adding “go near my bird and I’ll smash you”.
Taylor was told to leave and was removed from the flat but he made more threats while banging at the door.
He told the occupants he was going to get petrol and bomb the property, then said he would burnt he flat.
Police arrived just before 11pm and found Taylor lying outside. He called the officers “dafties”.
In the dock
At a court hearing the next day, Taylor was remanded in custody and was brought from HMP Perth to Dundee Sheriff Court last week to admit acting in a threatening or abusive manner.
Taylor – who has still to serve an unexpired portion of his last prison sentence – admitted attending and entering while uninvited, shouting, making threats of violence and threatening to set the address on fire.
Solicitor Mike Short said his client had an alcohol problem but while on license, had “just managed to get himself together”.
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael ordered Taylor to be assessed for possible post-release supervision.
He said: “I don’t see a realistic alternative to custody.
“I haven’t absolutely decided but I think a custodial sentence is likely here.”
Taylor was remanded further for background reports and will be sentenced on March 31.
A non-harassment order could also be imposed at that hearing.
Previous assault
In 2021, Taylor was jailed for 20 months after a sustained attack on a woman at another Dundee multi.
He “laughed like a maniac” during an attack on his girlfriend which lasted several hours.
Taylor’s victim let out “blood-curdling” screams as he rained blows on her during the brutal and sustained attack.
Witnesses described overhearing his chilling laughter as he beat up the woman.
She was left with a broken cheek and eye socket and numerous parts of her body were covered in bruises.
She said she had prepared to jump from a fourth floor balcony to escape.
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