Laurieston offender used Instagram to breach his bail

Procurator fiscal depute Sean Iles said: “He appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court and was released on bail with the condition he did not approach his former partner. The witness then received an Instagram friend request which she accepted.

"They then engaged in a conversation and continued to converse on Instagram over the next few days. He invited her to join him in Falkirk for a meal and a drink.

"When she found out he was in a pub she said she was not attending. The accused then sent messages to the witness which were abusive in nature and referred to her as a ‘liar’.

"She told him she was involving the police and then blocked him.”

Simon Hutchison, defence solicitor, said: “It clearly was consensual. She was the first person to send a message to him. This is a 47-year-old man who has hardly been involved in any offending at all until the break up of this relationship.

"He wasn’t fully knowledgeable about the extent of the bail orders. He had certainly never seen the inside of a prison cell – but he has now.”

Sheriff Derek Livingston sentenced Boyle, 3 School Road, Laurieston, to eight weeks in custody back dated to May 19 - meaning Boyle was immediately released.

Boyle was also made subject to a three-year non-harassment order not to have any contact with his former partner.