A BEITH thug who warned he would 'slice and dice' his ex-partner in her own home has been banned from contacting the woman for five years.
Christopher Feeney made the violent threat at the victim's flat on West Stewart Street, in Greenock, more than two years ago and was sentenced for the offence last week.
The sheriff court heard the 34-year-old threatened to 'slice and dice' his ex and 'any guy she got with', before pacing up and down in the hallway stating he was going to slash her.
Narrating the facts of the October 2021 incident, procurator fiscal depute Fergus Warner said Feeney, who was in a relationship with the woman for around seven months, left the property then returned 90 minutes later when he apologised and made up with the complainer.
The fiscal depute told the hearing at Greenock Sheriff Court: "The complainer is fearful of the accused and she requests a non-harassment order."
Feeney was also convicted of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner during a separate incident 18 months earlier in April 2020 on the same street.
Feeney and another man, 31-year-old Ross McFarlane, were involved in an early morning shouting match before taking their dispute inside the Liquor Shed off licence.
The confrontation, which included both men gesturing towards each other as if to engage in a stand-up fight, continued within the store and police were contacted to break up the pair.
Defence solicitor Aidan Gallagher said Feeney "is apologetic for his behaviour" during the incident with his ex.
The lawyer said: "They continued in their relationship, notwithstanding his behaviour, although it is now at an end.
"This behaviour was restricted to that one particular day although I have to recognise it would have been an alarming situation, particularly when they were in a relationship and it was in her own home.
"The other matter involved not so much a friend but an acquaintance. Drink was involved.
"It was regarding a fairly minor matter and thankfully it didn't escalate."
Sheriff David Pender ordered Feeney, of Mains Avenue in Beith, to complete 150 hours of unpaid work within a year and he will also be under the supervision of the criminal justice social work department for 18 months.
A review has been scheduled for March 26 and a five-year non-harassment order - requiring him to stay away from his ex and her address - has also been imposed.
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