A MAN who deliberately ignored a court order barring him from having any contact with his former partner for a three-year period has been spared jail.

Gerard Kilpatrick was handed a non-harassment order in September 2016, but breached it last December when he shouted, swore and acted aggressively towards his ex and another man at the Loch Lomond Shores complex in Balloch.

And after being reminded that the current non-harassment order will run out in four months’ time, a sheriff imposed a brand new order, exactly the same as the existing one, which means Kilpatrick won’t be allowed to have any contact with the woman until 2022.

Kilpatrick, 37, was brought to the dock at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday in handcuffs after, his lawyer said, spending 52 days as a remand prisoner in connection with the case.

Kilpatrick admitted a charge of going to the car park at the Balloch shopping complex on December 9 knowing that his ex would be there and knowing that he was still the subject of the banning order.

He also pleaded guilty to shouting, swearing, acting aggressively, and challenging the man who was with his former partner, leaving both his ex and the other man fearful or alarmed.

On reading the social work report, Sheriff William Gallacher told Friday’s hearing: “I find this report very troubling, particularly the apparent belief that everybody else is to blame for his behaviour and not him.”

Kilpatrick’s lawyer said: “I’ve had a frank conversation with him, to the effect that if he is given the opportunity to remain at liberty he will have no choice but to address his issues.

“I would ask your Lordship to agree with the recommendation in the report for a community-based disposal.”

Sheriff William Gallacher told Kilpatrick: “I found your behaviour and attitude in court on the last occasion this case called to be very troubling.

“You seem to think you are right and everybody else is wrong. I’m not impressed with that.”

Kilpatrick, formerly of Clydebank but now living at Kelburn Place in Glasgow, was placed on a community payback order with two years of social work supervision.

The order also requires Kilpatrick to engage throughout the next two years with the Wise Group, which works with a range of people in the areas of community justice.

Sheriff Gallacher added: “If you don’t comply, you are likely to find the consequences will be very severe indeed.”