A DUMBARTON man with an “abysmal” criminal record will spend the next year in jail.

Stephen Gilmour, of Auchenreoch Avenue, admitted to placing his former partner in a state of fear and alarm after turning up at her house uninvited and demanding to be let in.

Last Tuesday, Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard Gilmour, 39, turned up at his ex’s home around 11pm on January 2 under the influence of alcohol.

After being refused entry, Gilmour repeatedly kicked the front door and proceeded to break the lock before entering the property.

The woman ran into the street and was spotted by members of the public who called the police.

Officers attended and observed damage to the door before finding Gilmour sitting in the living room.

After being given bail the following day and ordered not to visit [his ex’s street], Gilmour breached the conditions by being discovered within a property on the street later on January 3.

Gilmour’s solicitor, Brian McGuire, said: “He has an issue with alcohol. He has addressed this previously and quite successfully on occasions, but there have been occasions where that has fallen by the wayside.”

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Sheriff William Gallacher replied: “His record is abysmal in relation to both matters before me.”

Addressing Gilmour, Sheriff Gallacher said: “You have an appalling record and disregard for people around you. I cannot, in my view, properly deal with you by anything other than a custodial sentence.”