Falkirk domestic offender hurled insults at partner and homophobic and racist abuse at her friends

Daniel Arnott, 33, called the woman a “smelly boot” and other insulting names during his angry tirade and then started verbally abusing her friends who came round to check on her – subjecting them to homophobic and racist abuse.

Police then caught Arnott breaching his bail conditions when they overheard him talking on the phone to his former partner.

Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, Arnott had admitted threatening behaviour – repeatedly shouting and swearing – at his 30 Shannon Drive, Falkirk home on May 20.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching his bail conditions by contacting a woman he was not supposed to on social media and WhatsApp on May 28.

Ann Orr, procurator fiscal depute, said: “The couple were in a relationship for about three years, having a daughter together. The couple were arguing, the accused saying she had lost the electric key.

"During this argument he became abusive with her, calling her a ‘tink’, a ‘tramp’ and a ‘smelly boot’. She recorded these comments and he continued drinking throughout the night.

"The following morning she was on the phone to her mother and he continued being abusive, calling her a ‘stupid bitch’. His partner contacted her friend saying the accused was being abusive.

"The friend could hear her crying and the accused shouting in the background. The friend and another person went to the address and when they arrived the accused came out and shouted at them.

"He called one a ‘dyke’ and a ‘man beast’ which she perceived to be homophobic and made a racist comment to the other person which she believed was due to her previous partner being Pakistani.

"The accused later told police ‘I’ve done nothing wrong’ and said he wasn’t racist.”

A week later, and being subject to bail conditions not to contact his partner, Arnott was at it again.

"She was in her home address with her daughter,” said the procurator fiscal depute. “She received a phone call from the accused – there was a missed call and a message. The a text message asking ‘what are you doing?’.

"He tried to persuade her to take him back.”

As chance would have it police were outside the address when the call was being made and they actually heard Arnott’s voice – initially thinking he was present inside the premises.

Defence solicitor Simon Hutchison said: “There is no relationship with this lady. They have a child together, but they are no longer in a relationship. He had been out of trouble for five years, but he does have a record.

"He had too much to drink and had an argument over access to his daughter.”

Sheriff Craig Harris said he did not think the Caledonian domestic abuse programme was required in this case and placed Arnott on a community payback order with the condition he complete 155 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.