Inverness man threatened ex partner’s Stornoway family
The former partner of an Inverness woman threatened to "beat her up" and "cut up" her family members following the break-up of their 11-year relationship.
Craig MacLeod, of Thornbush Road, Inverness went to the Merkinch home of the woman and her new partner four months after the couple split up in February 2022 and began shouting and swearing outside, demanding to see his son.
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Inverness Sheriff Court heard that he was asked to leave because he was intoxicated but fiscal depute Pauline Gair said that he returned 30 minutes later, pushed his way into the house and directed threats at her new partner saying "he would come back and finish him off and that he was going to get a knife.
"He then approached his ex and got into her face, saying: 'I could easily beat you up now since we are not together. I could easily finish you off.' He was asked to leave by an elderly neighbour."
Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald heard that 34-year-old MacLeod's drunken behaviour continued in the Western Isles when, on January 14, 2023, he used a knife to scratch two cars in Mackenzie Street, Stornoway and threatened the owners who confronted him in the street.
Mrs Gair said MacLeod then moved on to a road where members of his ex partner's family lived and he again shouted and swore before police were called after fears for their safety.
Mrs Gair added: "They went into the street to ask him to stop. At this time, he took a knife from his pocket and waved it in their general direction.
"When the accused heard sirens, he made off but was arrested."
The fiscal said that MacLeod had dropped something on the way and police later recovered two black kitchen knives.
MacLeod told police: "I am not going to lie. I went there with intentions. My intentions were to smash the two of them. I was going to cut them up. I don't care. I'm going to cut them up. Just see, when I get out of here.' He was later cautioned and charged to which he replied: 'Not much you can say, can you? It's all there.'"
MacLeod admitted two charges of threatening behaviour, vandalism and possession of knives.
Defending, Rory Gowans said his client's reply to the charge was made when he had sobered up.
"He was in a pretty dark place at the time and was heavily under the influence of alcohol,” he said. “He is currently under supervision so a report will be required and he is trying to live a quiet life."
Sentence was deferred for a background report and restriction of liberty order assessment until February 11 and MacLeod's bail was continued.
