A woman recovering from an eating disorder was told by her abusive ex-partner that she “looked like a dead body”.
Jonathan Methven, of High Valleyfield in Fife, called his former girlfriend “skinny” and told her to have an abortion after finding out she was pregnant.
The 21-year-old appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court and admitted engaging in a course of abusive behaviour against the woman between August 2021 and February 2022.
This included making derogatory remarks about her appearance, unreasonable demands and threats.
Methven, of Daly Gardens, was ordered to pay his victim compensation and must stay away from her for three years.
‘Belittling’ conduct
Procurator fiscal depute Catherine Stevenson told the court Methven’s former partner was at a horse event in Kilmarnock when he began “a significant amount of belittling behaviour” towards her.
The fiscal said: “He called her on a number of occasions throughout the day. He was calling the complainer ‘skinny’ and (said) that she looked like a dead body.
“The complainer previously suffered from an eating disorder”.
Ms Stevenson said Methven was also demanding that his then partner returned home.
In December 2021, the woman discovered she was pregnant and told Methven.
The fiscal said Methven was “furious” and told her to have an abortion, leaving her shocked.
The court heard that between December 16 and 25 2021 Methven consistently called the woman and shouted and swore at her down the phone.
During one phone call Methven said: “you better get f***ing up here before you see what happens”.
Significant fine
The woman sent him a Snapchat message in February 2022 telling him to stay away from her family, and he replied with a voice note saying she had “started this game” and said she was the “lowest of the low”.
He also said: “You are a dirty little rat, you are going down, watch your back”.
The complainer later contacted police to report the domestic abuse.
Methven’s defence lawyer said his client accepts his behaviour would have impacted the woman.
Finding Methven £2,500, Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said: “Because of the nature and period (of the offending) and the effects, that financial penalty requires to be significant”.
The sheriff also made a £750 compensation order.
A non harassment order concerning his former partner was also made for three years.
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