Bainsford offender branded a bully for his 'petulant' antics

A domestic offender’s controlling behaviour of his former partner included grabbing her car keys from the ignition when she was trying to drive away from him.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Aaron Horne (33) appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court earlier today having admitted engaging in a course of conduct which was abusive towards his ex partner at various places, including Wilson Avenue, Denny, and outside Forth Valley Royal Hospital between February 12 and March 2.

At one stage he prevented her from closing her car door and then reached in and took the keys from the ignition.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Amy Sneddon, procurator fiscal depute said: "She saw the accused’s car drive towards her vehicle and park across the road. The accused then got out and approached the witness with a handful of confectionery. She lowered her window and spoke with him.

Horne appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court today to answer for his offending behaviourHorne appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court today to answer for his offending behaviour
Horne appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court today to answer for his offending behaviour

"He asked her if she had cancelled plans with her new partner, to which she responded she had not. The accused then became irritable and said she was lying to him.

"In order to avoid further conflict she attempted to close her car window. The accused obstructed the window from closing and began pushing it down. The complainer attempted to drive away, but the accused reached into the motor vehicle and removed the key from the ignition.

"He then walked back towards his car, opened the nearside door and removed a clear tub which the complainer observed to be full of tablets. The accused then poured a number of tablets into his mouth and swallowed them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"He then repeated this again before getting into his vehicle and driving away. As he drove away he threw the complainer’s car key out of the window onto the street.”

Around 12 hours later, after being taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital for treatment by police, Horne contacted the woman again.

"At 9.15am the complainer met the accused outside Forth Valley Royal Hospital,” said the procurator fiscal depute. “He began alleging she had been lying to him, speaking to her in a petulant manner.

"Due to his behaviour the complainer did not want to engage with him and attempted to walk away. She took out her phone and was going to make a call. The accused began shouting ‘hang up and talk to me’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"He then approached her and grabbed her left shoulder. She was attempting to use her phone and manoeuvre away from the accused. He became aggressive and began to push her.

"He then walked off towards the ambulance bay at the hospital. He was later found by police at a roundabout in Stirling Road. He told officers ‘I had my hands round her to stop her making a phone call’.”

Defence solicitor Michael Lowrie said: “This is an appalling piece of bullying behaviour and he accepts that. He is both regretful and remorseful.”

Sheriff Derek Livingston said Horne’s behaviour was a form of “coercive control”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He placed Horne, 41 Union Street, Bainsford, on a supervised community payback order for 30 months with the condition he attend the Caledonian domestic abuse programme. He was also made subject to a non harassment order for three years not to contact the woman and not to enter Wilson Avenue, Denny.