A Fife man has become the first person in the region to be sentenced for domestic abuse under new legislation covering controlling and intimidating behaviour.
Kevin Skelton was jailed for 18 months at Dunfermline Sheriff Court after admitting two offences against an ex-partner.
The 54-year-old will be supervised on licence for six months after his release and has been ordered not to contact his victim for five years.
The prosecution was brought under the new Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018.
He pled guilty on Wednesday to the abuse, which occurred between May and July of this year.
The incidents happened in Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy and he was arrested on July 3 following reports of an incident at his home.
Detective Inspector June Peebles, of Fife’s Domestic Abuse Investigations Unit, said: “Kevin Skelton has today become the first person in Fife to be sentenced under new domestic abuse legislation.
“Over several months he subjected the victim to controlling, intimidating and abusive behaviour that is now, under the new legal framework, better recognised in law.
She added: “It is well known that those who suffer domestic abuse may never experience physical violence.
“Instead, they are subject to degrading treatment, loss of freedom and coercive control on a daily basis, which is as damaging to both partners and children as physical abuse.
“I hope that victims of domestic abuse see this conviction today and find courage to step forward and speak out.”
DI Peebles said Fife’s Domestic Abuse Investigations Unit worked closely with other organisations such as Fife Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis to provide additional support to those affected by abuse.
“If you are experiencing abuse I would encourage you to contact either police on 101 or our partners who can provide reassurance and advice about how to take those next steps,” she said.
