Grangemouth man smashed up home after falsely accusing partner of cheating

James McGregor (39), 1 Hanover Grange, Grangemouth, let rip when the woman returned from a night out before causing £650 of damage to a television, walls and doors.

Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, McGregor admitted behaving threateningly by shouting, swearing and acting in an aggressive manner towards the woman on March 15, 2020.

He’d also pleaded guilty to wilfully or recklessly damaging property belonging to another during his tirade.

The court was told McGregor and the woman had been in a relationship for four years.

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On March 14, 2020, his ex-partner had gone to a pub with her daughter and a friend following an argument between her and McGregor earlier that day.

The trio returned to the property, where McGregor had fallen asleep, at about 3.30am the following day.

Procurator fiscal depute Sean Maher said: “He was in bed asleep, however, woke up on their arrival and appeared to be heavily intoxicated.

“He began to shout and swear, having formed the mistaken belief his partner was cheating on him.

“Efforts were made to calm him down, however, these had little effect. He became more aggressive and broke a number of items around the house.

“He punched the kitchen door repeatedly, resulting in the glass smashing.

“He pulled the kitchen door from its hinges and threw it to the ground. The accused pulled off the cupboard door and smashed a unit within the hallway.

“He also threw a Buckfast bottle, causing it to smash. In the living room he punched the television, causing it to fall and smash.

“Officers attended and he was found lying on the sofa, with blood and grazes on his knuckles.”

Defence solicitor Murray Aitken said his client pleaded guilty when he first appeared last March.

The solicitor added: “He accepts he was out of order.”

Sheriff Derek Hamilton jailed McGregor for three months and made him subject to a two-year non-harassment order preventing him from approaching, contacting or attempting to approach or contact the woman.

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