MAN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER TERRORISING EX WITH FAKE BLOOD AND THREATS IN SKELMORLIE
A MAN subjected his ex-partner to nine months of "appalling" mental torment by repeatedly threatening to harm himself and hinting that he was spying on her.Francis Shields poured fake blood on the doorstep of a property in Skelmorlie and made repeated threats to disclose intimate images of his victim to members of her family - including her children.
Despite the severity of his actions, Shields was spared a jail sentence—although a sheriff noted that his behaviour "met the criteria" for prison.
He appeared for sentencing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to a series of charges.
He admitted engaging in a course of behaviour that was abusive towards his ex-partner between April 1, 2023, and January 7, 2024.
The court heard that Shields repeatedly sent texts, emails, and voicemails containing offensive and threatening remarks, and indicated that he was watching her.
He also sent videos where he appeared to try to harm himself, aiming to convince her that he would do so if she did not rekindle their relationship.
Additionally, Shields consumed excessive drugs on June 17, 2023, leading to unconsciousness and hospitalisation.
He repeatedly visited the woman’s property uninvited, once pouring fake blood outside and leaving a drawing and a rose.
The court was told Shields and the woman had a turbulent two-year on-off relationship, during which he threatened to take his own life and discussed funeral arrangements, saying "bye bye baby, I love you".
When she attempted to contact him, his response was, "I'm not answering, enjoy your life." Shields also threatened to reveal intimate images of her to her family.
The woman reported his behaviour to police in December 2023, and he was arrested the following month.
His solicitor acknowledged Shields' poor mental health but accepted that his behaviour was "entirely unacceptable".
The court considered a community payback order, imposing 200 hours of unpaid work, 18 months of social work supervision, a 12-week curfew from 7pm to 7am, and a non-harassment order banning him from contacting or entering the woman's area until January 2028.
