A BALLOCH man who hurled abuse at his partner has been warned he is close to going to prison.

William McCormack previously admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing, and smashing a mobile phone, placing the woman in a state of fear and alarm on May 20 of this year.

The 33-year-old, of Mathieson Walk, appeared for sentencing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week.

Scott Simpson, fiscal depute, told the court McCormack and the woman had been in a relationship at the time.

At around 4.30 on May 20 this year, he arrived at a property on Third Avenue in Alexandria after he had been drinking.

Mr Simpson said: “For some reason, he was angry and aggressive towards his partner and towards another person who was there.

“He was shouting remarks such as ‘c**t’ and ‘what the f**k has it got to do with you’. He threw a mobile phone at her.” Police were called and arrived soon afterwards. McCormack was taken to Clydebank Police Station.

Philip Lafferty, defending, told the court the relationship between his client and the woman was at an end, adding that the pair remained on civilised terms for the sake of their children.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry told McCormack: “I hope you are getting that time is running out for you and the patience of the court is being tested.

“I firmly predict that if you offend in this way at any point in the future, you will go to prison.” McCormack was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work within six months. He was placed under supervision for 18 months.