A BRUCEHILL man has narrowly avoided prison after seven-months of “terrorist behaviour” towards his partner.

Arron Mills, of Glencairn Road, pleaded guilty at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on July 21 to months of harassment of his now former partner.

He admitted that between April 8 and November 15, 2020, at a property in Dumbarton and elsewhere, Mills engaged in a course of conduct which was abusive of his partner.

During a sentencing hearing at the court on October 5, fiscal depute Abigail McKenna said on April 8, 2020 Mills was shouting and swearing at the woman.

The 24-year-old called his then partner “fat”, “spotty”, “a daft cow” and a “s***”. He used his body weight to restrain her against the kitchen worktop and repeatedly threatened to assault her if she phoned the police.

He then said to the woman, “You are going to get knocked out,” and, “I am going to be one evil b*****d I swear to f***”.

Ms McKenna said that on November 15, 2020, the woman had walked past Mills as she had dropped something on the stairs. Mills had been up drinking.

He then grabbed and pinned her to the bed, holding the side of her jaw, while young children were present.

She managed to get up from bed and fled the house with her children in an attempt to get help.

But he dragged her back to the property. In a second attempt to get help, she ran to the neighbour’s house to ask for safety as Mills was being very abusive. Mills then came out and apologised for his partner and told her to go back inside.

On separate occasions, Mills also subjected the woman to another assault and further abusive comments.

Following the relationship breakdown the police were contacted and Mills was charged.

Defence solicitor Leo McGinn told the court that his client claimed the incident escalated after finding out his partner was having an affair with somebody known to him.

He said: “That has made an uncomfortable experience for Mr Mills listening to that, of course a far more uncomfortable experience for his former partner being subjected that.

“I think Mr Mills is thoroughly ashamed of it. It does not excuse his behaviour. He knows that and has said that to me before.

“He is aware he is starting from scratch again.”

Sheriff William Gallacher said that what Mills had done was “terrorist behaviour” and no discount for his early plea would be applied.

Addressing Mills, the sheriff said: “Your behaviour on the dates identified have been utterly beyond tolerance by any means.

“This is your partner who is confronted with this abusive, domineering and utterly ignorant behaviour.

“If you have a past conviction involving significant violence, I would have felt there was no other option.

“You are within a hair’s breadth of going to prison.”

The sheriff handed Mills a community payback order (CPO) of three years supervision and the maximum 300 hours of unpaid work to be completed in 12 months.

A non-harassment order will prevent any contact with his ex for five years. A further review of the community payback order was set for January.