A man chopped down the family Christmas tree with a chainsaw after finding out his partner cheated on him, a court has heard.
Wiktor Krzyzan also shouted, swore and used threatening language during the incident, which took place in front of a child.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard details of the festive fallout yesterday.
Reports presented to the court revealed the couple are no longer together.
Alcohol was said to have been involved in the incident, and the court was told this had had a”destabilising” effect on Krzyzan.
The 34-year-old committed the offence, which amounted to a charge of threatening and abusive behaviour, on January 4 at an address in Yeaman’s Lane, Dundee.
Following the break-up, the accused became homeless and he is now living in Kerr Street.
He was given a community payback order with a supervision requirement of 12 months and a restriction of liberty order banning him from being outside his home between 7pm and 7am, for 50 days.
Sheriff Derek Reekie expressed concerns that Krzyzan, continued to display an “aggressive” attitude towards his former partner, despite the police intervention and subsequent court case.
Sheriff Reekie said: “He has found out about the infidelity of his partner.
“With a chainsaw, he chopped the Christmas tree down.”
Addressing the accused, he added: “I have to say it’s a matter of concern that you still display an aggressive attitude towards your ex-partner.
“I understand you may be aggrieved about matters but you’ve got to deal with that in an appropriate manner.
“This was a serious incident.
“It must have been highly alarming to your partner and also to the child that was present.
“You are accumulating a record. Not necessarily of this type of offence, but it is demonstrating a disregard for the law.
“Alcohol seems to be a problem – it destabilises you.”
Sheriff Reekie added that the supervision element of the sentence was intended to deal with issues underpinning Krzyzan’s behaviour.
