A shame-faced Angus man who threatened to “batter” his long-suffering partner has been warned by a sheriff that his repeat offending has taken him to the door of prison.
Drunken Michael Cosgrove made repeated threats against his girlfriend after arriving home in the early hours from a boozing session, then jammed a policeman’s hand in his house door as he tried to prevent officers from gaining entry.
At Forfar Sheriff Court, the Montrose 26-year-old was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work as part of a year-long Community Payback Order, but was told the sentence was a direct alternative to custody and any step out of line would see him go behind bars.
Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan told the court Cosgrove, of Glenogil Street, Montrose, had gone out around 7pm on February 7 to head to the home of his partner’s brother, saying he would be back around 11pm.
He then texted his girlfriend just before midnight to tell her he would be going to the pub, eventually returning home around 1.20am.
“She didn’t speak to him and he demanded to know why,” said the fiscal.
Cosgrove then told the girl to get out, warning her: “If you don’t leave, I’m going to batter you.”
After repeated threats, his terrified partner called police and they arrived around 2.20am, but Cosgrove refused to let them in, saying everything was okay between the pair.
“He refused them entry and slammed the door, trapping an officer’s hand between the door and the frame,” added the fiscal.
Other police units were called but eventually officers gained entry, and in response to being charged said: “I apologise and I’m sorry. I’m very sorry.”
Defence solicitor Julie Young said a social work before the report was “fairly positive” and Cosgrove had accepted his actions were “immature and unacceptable”.
She added: “Excessive alcohol causes difficulties for him and he has taken that on board.
“He is extremely embarrassed about how he acted and he pled guilty from custody. “
Sheriff Alison McKay told Cosgrove, who admitted breaching the peace: “It’s a concern to the court that this took place while you were already on a CPO.
“You have already had CPOs and a Restriction of Liberty Order and at some point if you continue offending the court will take the view that you have reached the end of the line.”