Man jailed after repeatedly breaching non-harassment order

James McLachlan was given the nine-month restriction and told to complete a domestic abuse course before he could resume his relationship with her.

But the 40-year-old Port man — who has six previous convictions for assault — flouted the directives, as well as unpaid work, supervision and drug treatment conditions.

McLachlan admitted two charges of being in the company of his partner at his Glen Avenue flat.

He had also been accused of shouting, swearing and acting aggressively towards a female neighbour who called the police on hearing him arguing with the woman, but his not guilty plea to this was accepted.

A trial in March was told that McLachlan repeatedly struck his partner over the head with a methadone bottle as he attacked her the previous month.

The victim, 39, told Greenock Sheriff Court at the time: "He grabbed my hair and started kicking into my back and my bottom.

"He hit me a couple of times over the head with a glass methadone bottle.

"I sat up and he punched me to the left and right side of my face."

Giving her evidence from behind screens, the woman added: "It was because he had no valium — it was a valium rage."

However, following McLachlan's conviction his partner has made it clear she still wants to be with him.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "It appears that it is a relationship that is going to continue."

McLachlan pleaded guilty to twice breaching the non-harassment order, having committed the offences in June.

Sheriff McIntyre told McLachlan: "I imposed the order to allow you your liberty so that, in the fullness of time, you could resume the relationship after a period where you could change your behaviour and be rehabilitated.

"You have been quite contemptuous of the orders I have made and the balance has now tipped."

McLachlan was sentenced to 234 days imprisonment.

He shook his head on being told that the non-harassment order will remain in place on his release.