A MAN who threw two cups of hot coffee over his ex-partner has been told by a sheriff “to get his act together”.

David Nixon, of Sutherland Street, Dumbarton, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last Friday where he admitted assaulting the woman by throwing hot coffee over her.

The 32-year-old also admitted striking her with a towel. The attacks happened on June 21 this year at the family home.

Prosecutor Sarah Healing said: “The pair had been arguing over comments made on Facebook. He demanded her phone and she refused.

"He followed her into the living room and the argument continued. He pushed her and picked up a cup of coffee and threw it over her.

"The argument continued into the kitchen where he picked up another mug of hot coffee and threw it over her.

"He left for work and she contacted the police who arrived and saw her in a distressed state. She was covered in coffee stains and had redness on her face. An ambulance was called.”

Ms Healing added Nixon attended Dumbarton police office later that day and was interviewed in Clydebank where he accepted an altercation had taken place, but he said he was defending himself and didn’t accept he assaulted the woman.

Defence lawyer Douglas Thomson said: “He is not someone who has a history of this kind of behaviour. He is willing to undergo the Pair Programme [for domestic abuse]. He has been found to be a suitable candidate.”

Sheriff John Hamilton told Nixon: “You have to get your act together. I will give you the opportunity of a community payback order which will include supervision and to carry out the Pair Programme between now and February. In addition you will carry out 120 hours of unpaid work. You will complete the work within six months.”

Nixon was ordered to return to court on November 9 for a Pair Programme review.