A drinker who threatened his former partner after the breakdown of their 20-year relationship has received a community payback order.
Alan Falconer and the woman had maintained an amicable relationship despite splitting last summer, but things took a turn for the worse in March when he accused her of seeing another man.
At Forfar Sheriff Court, Falconer, 39, of Barvick Cottage, Crieff, admitted behaving in threatening and abusive manner towards the woman at a house on Ness Drive, Arbroath, between March 14 and 16 and acting aggressively towards another man.
Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said the victim had blamed Falconer’s drinking for the breakdown of the relationship, but they remained in regular contact.
On March 15 he challenged her about her relationship with another man and she left the house.
“The complainer didn’t return until around 1.30am but he was still in the living-room drinking and began shouting and swearing,” said Ms Kennedy.
“She was concerned he was about to get further out of control.
“The incident was overheard by a neighbour who found her distressed and crying and attempted to intervene,” she added.
Falconer became aggressive towards him as well and police were called.
Defence solicitor Brian Bell said: “The root of his difficulties is alcohol and he has sought help for this long-standing problem.”
Falconer received a three-month CPO including 45 hours of unpaid work.