Grangemouth man jailed after branding ex 'waste of life' and making threats

David Kennedy, 118 Lumley Street, Grangemouth, behaved threateningly at a Grangemouth property on July 26, 2019 when he shouted, swore and acted in an aggressive manner towards his partner.

He also failed to attend for a scheduled appearance at Falkirk Sherff Court on September 11, 2019, while on bail.

The 23-year-old did show at the court last Thursday, when the facts of the incident were relayed.

Procurator fiscal depute India MacLean said: “At 8.50pm the accused and the woman were asleep within the locus.

“She woke up and began using her phone, specifically a messaging app. The accused also woke up at this time and began demanding to know who she was contacting.

“This led to an argument where he said she was a waste of life. He then left, but began texting her, saying ‘You’re a waste of a human’.

“He also said, ‘I recorded that argument on my camera so you’re lucky I didn’t punch you’.

She then contacted the police.

“He was arrested, cautioned and charged and made no reply.”

Defence solicitor Lynn Swann told Sheriff Derek Livingston that Kennedy was on a structured deferred sentence which had “quite some time to go”.

The Sheriff said Kennedy had failed to cooperate with social workers.

Ms Swann responded: “He accepts his engagement hasn’t been good since the case last called.

“The argument stemmed from the fact he discovered a text that suggested she hadn’t been as faithful as he had hoped for.”

The solicitor also said her client had been unable to contact the social work department as he didn’t have a mobile phone.

Ms Swann added: “He tells me he’s not had the money to get there from Grangemouth.

“I suppose he could’ve walked but there’s a reference to a lack of motivation.”

As he jailed Kennedy for three months, Sheriff Livingston said: “The court wanted to try and deal with the matter by way of a non-custodial sentence but you’ve not taken the opportunity given to you, despite various chances.”

Kennedy was also made subject to a non-harassment order banning him from contacting the woman.

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