Man locked out of house left abusive messages for his ex

Robert Aitken repeatedly threatened to “murder” his former partner, Audrey Smith, and told her “I’ll burn your car out”.

Livingston Sheriff Court was told that Ms Smith refused to answer his calls. She switched her mobile phone off before going to bed.

But when she switched it back on the following morning there were 22 angry voicemail messages.

Aitken, 47, of Newmains, Lanarkshire, appeared for sentence yesterday for behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards Ms Smith.

Sheriff Celia Sanderson sentenced Aitken to carry out unpaid work and take part in a domestic violence group work programme.