Muir of Ord man's 'appalling' messages to ex slammed by sheriff as court passes sentence

Abusive and menacing messages sent to a Ross-shire man's partner were described as "appalling" by a Highland court sheriff yesterday.

Jack Steventon of Drover's Court, Muir of Ord appeared for sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court after admitting the illegal communications committed between May 12 and May 15 this year.

He also admitted a breach of bail by sending his ex another message which fiscal depute Ruraidh Allison told Sheriff Sara Matheson "was not abusive, it was to apologise".

Mr Allison had earlier told the court that the 30-year-old father of three had an argument about a family matter with his former partner the night before and he sent her messages on Snapchat as well as delivering voice messages.

"They caused her significant distress. They went on for three days and then she contacted the police."

Defence solicitor Natalie Paterson said her client accepted "they were unsavoury messages".

But ordering Steventon to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, Sheriff Matheson said: "These messages are disgusting and display a complete disregard for the mother of your children. They are quite frankly, appalling."

The sheriff also placed Steventon on 18 months of social work supervision and instructed a non-harassment order to protect the woman for the next two years.