A BONHILL man hid his former partner in a cupboard when police called at his home to investigate a report that she’d gone missing.

Ladyton resident Martin Cramb had been told by a court in September 2020 not to have any form of contact with the woman.

But Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard that the 33-year-old breached the order by being in the woman’s company at the property last month.

Cramb appeared in court for sentencing on November 9 after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to a charge of breaching a non-harassment order (NHO).

Fiscal Abigail McKenna told the hearing that at around 12.05am on October 7 police were asked to attend Cramb’s address as his former partner had been reported as a missing person.

The court was not told who had reported Cramb’s ex-partner as missing.

Cramb, who is also the subject of a community payback order, gave permission to the officers for the property to be searched.

During the search, police found the woman in a bedroom cupboard, hidden underneath blankets and a guitar.

Ms McKenna, who said the couple’s relationship had ended a year and a half ago, told the court that when the officers found Cramb’s partner he told them: “I know I am breaking the law, but I thought I was helping her.”

Cramb’s solicitor said his client’s partner had provided him with a handwritten note to give an insight into the incident from her perspective.

He told Sheriff Frances McCartney: “This [note] supports his position and outlines a narration. I understand there are outstanding matters.

“There is an accumulation of matters whereby it may not be possible to deal with until December 21.

“What I can advise your Ladyship on is that he has been engaging well with the community payback order (CPO) and his most recent report is positive.”

Sheriff McCartney said: “He should have phoned the ambulance or the police to have [the partner] taken somewhere else.

“I appreciate she needed help at that time.”

The sheriff deferred sentence until December 21 and ordered a supplementary report from social workers.