Court proceedings against a Crieff man dubbed a “domestic abuse demon” have been delayed by Covid.
Kevin McLaren was convicted last month of a campaign of violence against two former partners that lasted almost 20 years.
Perth Sheriff Court heard he threw his pregnant girlfriend’s cat against a wall and shoved her face into a soiled litter tray.
Both victims told the trial they feared he would kill them.
McLaren was due to be sentenced on Tuesday but the court heard a crucial background report was unavailable, after an officer involved in writing it had tested positive for Covid-19.
McLaren, who was remanded at the last hearing and appeared from custody on Tuesday, will be sentenced on July 5.
Biking menace
Ambulance mechanic Corrie Aimable-Erskine has lost his job after he was caught roaring along the A90 on a motorbike at 108mph. he was followed by police for six miles after they clocked his extreme speed near the Inchture turn-off and convicted of dangerous driving.
Bench break-in
A would-be thief who tried to break into a Perth restaurant using a bench has been sentenced to unpaid work.
Richard Jordan was caught on CCTV during an early morning raid at the Willows café in St John Place.
The 50-year-old was filmed trying to smash through a front door, before trying his luck at a side entrance.
He appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted the attempted break-in, with intent to steal, on September 13, last year.
The court heard staff arrived the next day and found three panes of glass on the side door were broken.
Fiscal depute Elizabeth Hodgson said Jordon, of Kirkgate, Perth, was identified using the CCTV footage.
Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said his client began offending after losing his job.
“There are signs he is capable of getting his feet back under him,” he said.
Sheriff Euan Duthie placed Jordon on supervision for a year and ordered him to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.
Housebreak bungle
A bungling housebreaker who stole his neighbour’s television was caught after leaving a soot and blood-filled footprint at the fire-hit crime scene. Kevin Waterston, 43, stole more than £600 of items from the flat after it was left empty following a fire.
Hate crimes against transgender people reach record high, Crown Office reveals
The full caseload of the Dundee Crime and Courts Team can be found here.
