Dundee man admits to sending texts to ex-partner with threats of suicide

A man who texted his ex-partner, threatening to kill himself by throwing himself under a lorry, has been placed on a four-month restriction of liberty order.

Sheriff Alastair Brown told John McGee, 38, of Fintry Road, his texts were “emotional manipulation” and said it was a form of “psychological abuse”.

He ruled that McGee, who admitted sending a number of texts on August 1 including several claiming that he intended to kill himself, must stay indoors between 9pm and 5am after he heard that he works from 7am in Aberdeen.

Solicitor John Boyle said McGee was feeling low at the time of the offence but Sheriff Brown said the texts displayed “all the hallmarks of manipulative behaviour amounting to a form of abuse.”

He told McGee: “You will gather that I am not impressed with your behaviour.

“I am certainly not interested in you feeling sorry for yourself as an excuse for your behaviour.

“You are very close to going to prison for several months.”

Sheriff Brown said that, while a custodial sentence would have been appropriate, he had decided in this case to step away from that disposal.