Barry McLaughlin reacted after his ex followed him in her car after a dispute.

The incident was said to have been sparked after the victim and her friends began texting his new partner.

Problems first arose when McLaughlin’s ex and her friends heard a car revving its engine outside her Renton home in December last year.

Isobel Martin, prosecuting, said the girl recognised the sound of the car as her ex’s. Half-an-hour later she received a text telling her to “watch her car”. After going out to inspect the vehicle, the girls could tell it was fine.

A short time later McLaughlin’s ex took her friends home, but as they drove, she saw his car in the town and pulled up behind him.

Wanting to talk to him, she followed McLaughlin as he drove off, parking her car behind his as he came to a halt.

Ms Martin continued: “He got out his vehicle and approached the driver’s side – he took a few steps back and attempted to kick the window of the car. She then got out and asked him what he was doing.

“He responded by grabbing her fleece, ending up behind her and holding both her hands above her head, causing her to fall to the ground. He grabbed her by her hood and dragged her, three-to-four metres.” At this point the victim’s friends got out the car and McLaughlin, of Broomhill Crescent, Bonhill, began to push her away from friends saying, “we need to talk, just the two of us”.

McLaughlin’s victim managed to get past him and got into her car, driving off. She later alerted the police who arrested the accused.

Gayle Campbell, defending, said: “Throughout the course of the evening, the girls and his partner at the time were involved in an exchange of texts and comments were made back and forth. I say that to show how heated the events were likely to become.

“She followed him and stopped the car behind his. This, again set against the background of the texts, may explain how it grew. However, his behaviour after that was unacceptable.” Ms Campbell told the court that McLaughlin’s ex “got out the car and was angry, coming at him”.

She continued: “It’s an extremely embarrassing and disgraceful set of circumstances, but it’s a manner he has never behaved before, nor likely to behave in again. He accepts this is a serious matter.” Sentencing, Sheriff Colin MacKay said it was “singularly unfortunate” McLaughlin allowed himself to lose his temper. He added: “To knock a young girl to the ground, whatever the provocation, is not on. It was disgraceful behaviour by you at the end of the day.” McLaughlin was admonished on a charge relating to kicking his victim’s car and fined £250.