Seafield man kicks in door

Dec 29 2011 West Lothian Courier

A MAN terrified his ex-partner by kicking down her new boyfriend’s front door and threatening to assault her.

John Stewart (48), whose address was given as 84 Almondview, Seafield, threatened Elaine King with violence on August 28 this year.

They had been in a relationship for 12 years which had ended in December 2010.

After meeting Ms King in a pub, Stewart then turned up in Melbourne Street in Livingston, at the address of her new partner, and proceeded to kick in the front door of the property, enter the premises uninvited and struggle with Ms King.

Procurator Fiscal Lisa McCloy said: “The complainer at the time of the offence had started a new relationship with another man.

“On August 27 Ms King was within a pub with friends drinking and saw the accused. He said that he had heard she was with another man.

“Later, she left with others and went to the home of her new partner for a drink.

“At 1.45am witnesses heard a car pull up outside and saw the accused get out of the car and make his way towards the property which is a second floor flat.

“The stairwell door was broken and allowed the accused access to the common stairwell.

“Witnesses heard doors being kicked repeatedly. Ms King entered the hallway to try to defuse the situation while others went inside the living room and closed the door.”

Ms King saw Stewart breaking the front door and he said he was going to assault her and anyone else in the property.

She pushed against the door to stop him getting in and as he pushed she fell back into the bathroom.

He then kicked at the living room door which eventually broke apart into several pieces.

The police were called and the accused made off and was later traced by officers.

It was estimated that around £100 worth of damage had been done by Stewart.

His solicitor, Ms Gibson, said: “He had thought she was having an affair. He is ashamed of his actions and accepts full responsibility.

“He regrets his behaviour and no longer holds any ill-will to either victim of the offences.

“There was limited planning in the thought of these offences and he lost his temper at the thought of her with another man.”

Livingston Sheriff Court also heard last week that Stewart had a previous conviction for domestic assault which had involved the same complainer in 2006.

Ms Gibson added: “The relationship was largely trouble-free but there had been problems in its breakdown.

“He accepts that it has finally ended and he just wants to move on with his life.

“He has no outstanding cases and he wants to make amends for his actions.”

Sheriff David Clapham ordered Stewart to carry out 80 hours work in the community and pay £100 in compensation to the person who suffered loss.