A FAIFLEY man has been ordered to stay away from his ex – and the street where she lives – for 18 months after committing four offences against her in the space of a year.

Martin McAnemy won’t be able to go to Orbiston Drive until June 2019 – and could face prison if he fails to comply with a court order.

McAnemy, 25, was brought to court on Friday for sentencing after admitting two counts of threatening or abusive behaviour towards the woman, and a further charge of engaging in a course of conduct which caused her fear or alarm.

He committed his first offence on January 15, when he shouted, swore and threatened the woman with violence.

And three days later McAnemy went to the house uninvited, pushed his way past the woman into the property and shouted and swore in the presence of children.

As a result of those offences he was hit with a non-harassment order on March 9 banning him from attending the property and from contacting, or attempting to contact, the woman.

McAnemy managed to comply with that order for more than six months – but he was then convicted at a trial of behaving in a way which caused, or was intended to cause, his ex fear or alarm by repeatedly attending outside her house between September 16 and October 1, and of breaching the non-harassment order as a result.

McAnemy’s solicitor, Gail Campbell, told Dumbarton Sheriff Court that her client finally seemed to have realised the consequences of his misuse of alcohol.

“His behaviour has been driven by an alcohol addiction,” Ms Campbell said.

“It has been made clear by the courts that alcohol is no excuse for anything, but it may be an explanation in some part for his demeanour and his lack of thinking matters through.”

“When he’s not drinking he could be a productive member of society.”

Sheriff David Hall told McAnemy: “You are making this woman’s life a misery. You have been convicted four times this year of offences in which she is the victim. You need to learn to stay away from her.”

McAnemy, of Watchmeal Crescent, was handed a four-month jail sentence for the most recent offence – though the punishment was backdated to October 2, when he was first remanded in custody, meaning he is already eligible for release. He was also handed an 18-month non-harassment order prohibiting him from approaching the woman or going to Orbiston Drive.

For the January 15 offence McAnemy was placed on a curfew which requires him to stay at his home address between 7pm and 7am every day for the next three months.

On the January 18 offence, for which he was previously handed a community payback order, McAnemy was ordered to return to court for a further review on February 9.