A MAN who seized his partner by the throat in Dalmuir has been warned to comply with his order after he avoided jail “by the skin of his teeth”.

Christopher Neeson had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman by repeatedly punching her on the head, struggling with her, then seizing and compressing her throat.

The 41-year-old had also admitted elbowing her on the body and throwing a vacuum cleaner at her.

In separate charges, Neeson pleaded guilty to shouting and swearing at his victim, and to stealing a sum of money, all on July 20 last year.

Neeson had been placed on a drug treatment and testing order on April 10 this year. He appeared for a review at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week. Philip Lafferty, defending, told the court the report showed there were “clearly challenges” in Neeson’s life which were being addressed, though not always with complete success.

Mr Lafferty said: “I am not going to pretend this is a perfect report — it is anything but.

“Your lordship will require progress to be made. It may appear slow but there is still time for this order to achieve a significant benefit, not just for Mr Neeson but for the community.”

Sheriff Craig Turnbull warned Neeson he had to do better and said: “If you do not make progress, it is tempting to decide it may just be a waste of time and money.

“It is not a soft option. It looks as if you are not taking it as seriously as you should be.”

Sheriff Turnbull told Neeson he would allow the order to continue “by the skin of his teeth”. Neeson, of Bonhill in Alexandria, will return to court for a further review on December 16.