A MAN who sent a series of abusive and threatening phone messages to his former partner at her home in Helensburgh has been spared a prison sentence.

Stephen Campbell repeatedly messaged the woman at a property in Fisher Place last year.

The 35-year-old was sentenced at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on February 25 after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to an offence under the Communications Act 2003.

Campbell admitted sending messages “that were grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character” on September 19, 2019.

It was revealed during the recent hearing that Campbell had a conviction for a similar previous offence.

Fiscal depute Alasdair Allan said: “The accused and the complainer had been in a relationship for approximately five years.

“Just prior to the date of the offence, the relationship had ended.

“The complainer has stated the relationship is over, but is not supportive of a non-harassment order because of their children.”

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Mr Allan did not describe the nature of the messages in open court.

Campbell’s solicitor said: “He is still supported by his family; the complainer has been in contact through Mr Campbell’s mother, and has indicated that they have to work things out because of the children.”

Sentence on Campbell had been deferred until the hearing to allow a social worker time to prepare a background report.

His lawyer continued: “His attitude to this offence is clearly expressed in the report. He exhibits both shame and remorse.

“This incident, and the process of prosecution as a consequence, has inspired a transformative course of events: he has volunteered with the Chris’s House organisation, based in Wishaw, and has carried out fund-raising for them.

“In November he and others summited Ben Nevis.

“This matter has had a massive impact upon him. He describes the whole thing as being transforming.”

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Chris’s House is Scotland’s first 24-hour, non-medical crisis centre, offering help, response and intervention around suicide.

It was founded by Anne Rowan in memory of her son Chris, who took his own life aged 36 in 2011.

Campbell’s lawyer said the incident had also served as a “gateway” to give Campbell insight into traumatic experiences in his own childhood.

He added: “This is a serious matter. He realises that, because it’s his second directly analogous offence.

“He knows the court will take the matter very seriously, but I’m going to ask your Lordship to consider that there is an alternative to custody here.

“He works as a telecoms engineer but any punishment in the form of unpaid work could be carried out at the weekends.”

Campbell, of Herald Grove, Motherwell, was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work within eight months as a punishment, while he will also be supervised by a social worker until August 2021.

Sheriff William Gallacher told him: “This is a straightforward alternative to custody. If you don’t comply, that’s what will happen.

“If you do not treat those around you with respect and affection, you risk a worse criminal sanction – but also, you won’t have a family.”

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