INVERKIP MAN ADMITS ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS EX-PARTNER
AN INVERKIP man 'humiliated' his former long-term partner during a 15-month campaign of abusive behaviour after he was asked to cease contact.Steven McAuley, 55, recently appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court, where he pleaded guilty to engaging in a course of conduct against the woman between November 2022 and March 2024.
He acted in an aggressive manner towards her and repeatedly sent messages and emails which were ‘abusive and accusatory’ in nature.
On several occasions, McAuley, of Bailey Grove, demanded to know where the woman was and who she was with.
He also shared a post on social media in which he made comments about the breakdown of their relationship and accused her of having an affair, leaving her feeling 'humiliated and upset'.
The court heard that the couple had been together for around 18 years.
McAuley’s abusive conduct began in November 2022, with the woman receiving numerous phone calls and text messages at various times of the day and night.
A fiscal depute said: “He demanded to know where she was, what she was doing and who she was with.
“She felt that there was no trust and felt controlled by this behaviour.” After receiving 'regular accusations' from McAuley, the woman sent a WhatsApp message to him in October 2023 to reiterate that the relationship was over.
He failed to acknowledge this and continued to contact her in the months following.
On an occasion in December 2023, McAuley made repeated calls to her phone between the hours of 1am and 3.30am.
In early January 2024, he sent her various emails questioning the location of a transaction on their joint bank account.
She asked him to leave her alone, but his emails continued over the course of the month.
The court heard that McAuley sent a 'lengthy and abusive' email to her in February 2024, as well as making six calls and sending 14 emails and 13 text messages to her on another occasion in March 2024.
The fiscal depute added: “She did not respond to any of them as previously she had repeatedly asked him to leave her alone.” Police were made aware of McAuley’s conduct a few days later, with officers arresting and charging him on April 22, 2024.
He was due to stand trial at Greenock Sheriff Court this week but offered a plea of guilty to the domestic abuse charge ahead of any evidence being heard.
Sheriff Anthony McGeehan deferred McAuley’s sentencing until next month, with background reports being requested.
