A domestic abuser has been branded a “bully and a coward” after threatening his ex-partner’s children during a terrifying campaign of violence.
David Greig narrowly avoided a jail sentence after admitting a course of conduct which saw him drive his then-girlfriend into a remote woodland area near St Andrews before throwing her over a wall and breaking her hand.
Greig, 32, from Ceres, admitted a catalogue of domestically-aggravated offences committed between June 2021 and January this year.
At Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff John Rafferty told Greig he was incredibly close to prison sentence but a social work report recommended he might be suitable for rehabilitation.
Sentencing him to three years’ supervision and 275 hours of unpaid work, Sheriff Rafferty said: “The charges make it very clear to me that you are a coward and a bully.
“You took a woman to a remote area, picked her up and then threw her into a field, fracturing her hand.
“You told her ‘I am going to f***ing kill you’.”
Prison threat
The sheriff continued: “Then in January you went to her home address and remained there.
“You repeatedly telephoned her and only left when police became involved.
“You used words you knew would frighten her, targeting her children, saying ‘you better watch your kids’.
“I have to regard proper public outrage and appropriate punishment.
“If these were the only factors I had to consider I would impose the maximum sentence this court could impose.
“I have to consider the social work report.
“It seems to indicate the social work department can make some changes to your attitude.
“For these reasons, I am moving away from a custodial disposal.
“I will impose a non-harassment order for three years.
“If this is breached my only disposal available will be custody.”
The charges
Greig, of Bowburn, Baldinnie, Ceres, will also be placed on a supervision order for three years.
On the night and morning of June 11 to 12 2021, he followed his then-partner in his car, repeatedly asked her to get in his vehicle, refused to take her home, stop when she asked him to or let her leave the car and drove to an area between St Andrews and Kemback Woods.
There, he assaulted her, called her a cow, seized her by her body and threw her over a wall.
The following January Greig grabbed his ex-partner’s hand as she tried to call the emergency services.
He made her drop her phone by squeezing her arm.
He then threatened retribution for calling the police by threatening the woman’s children.
