A former banking boss made malicious complaints about his ex-partner to her employers and racked up a £4,000 credit bill in her name as part of a 20-month campaign of cruelty.
Richard Meade bombarded his ex-partner with thousands of messages and repeatedly turned up at her work uninvited, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
During their relationship, he tried to control and regulate her contact with her family.
The 37-year-old was found guilty after trial of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour towards his victim between April, 2019 and December, 2020.
He was also convicted of fraud after opening an account in his ex’s name with online retailer Very and buying mobile phones and phone equipment on credit.
The first his partner knew of the account was when she received an invoice from the company.
Malicious complaint
During the trial, rugby coach Meade attempted to play down his abusive campaign against the fitness instructor.
The court heard he told his ex-partner’s bosses at the Fit 4 Less gym in Perth’s Canal Street she did not pay tax.
Meade said he reported the PAYE allegation because the gym had refused to give him a refund for his membership.
“This was a great concern of mine because I was working in the financial industry,” he said.
He also claimed a mobile phone seized by police when he was arrested was not bought by himself on credit using her name but was a gift from his partner.
“It’s not a phone I would have chosen,” he said.
“It’s a phone of colour but I like a dull-looking phone.”
Sheriff Neil Bowie told Meade his evidence was not credible.
“This credit account was set up linked to Mr Meade’s telephone number, email address and bank account,” he said.
“When arrested, Mr Meade was in possession of an iPhone linked to that account.
“The complainer was not aware of this account and the first she heard of it was when she received a letter telling her she owed a sum of money.”
He said: “I have to say Mr Meade’s explanation for the credit account makes no sense to me at all.”
Left partner distraught
The trial heard that Mr Meade’s ex was left in tears after he showed up at her workplaces at Perth High School and Perth Theatre.
A witness told the court that Meade was parked outside the school but he did not leave his car, like other parents there.
She was left “significantly upset” when Meade approached her at the theatre.
He claimed in his evidence a small child was with him at the time but no other witnesses said they saw the youngster.
Sheriff Bowie told Meade: “When you combine the various conducts together, it does take on an offence under section one of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act.
“There has been evidence on the effect this has had on the victim and it was recounted by witnesses that this was very much out of character for her.”
Meade, of Kinmond Drive, Perth, will be sentenced in October.
He was slapped with a non-harassment order, which will remain in place for two years.
