A DALMUIR man who kicked off at his partner after he was refused cigarettes has been told to do unpaid work as a punishment – but warned he faces prison if he fails to comply.

Francis Miller grabbed the woman and threw her to the ground, causing her to hit her head, in the attack at their flat in Overtoun Court on February 27.

He also shouted, swore and threw his partner’s clothing and personal items out of the flat and onto the landing in the common close.

The 25-year-old appeared in court on Friday for sentencing after admitting charges of assault and threatening or abusive behaviour.

Fiscal depute Gemma McKechnie said: “The accused was refused cigarettes and thereafter became aggressive, shouting, swearing and calling the witness a cow.

“He left the address, and then returned and grabbed the complainer’s bags, with clothes and electrical appliances, and threw them onto the landing.”

Miller then grabbed his partner by the shoulders and threw her to the floor, causing her to hit her head. He then left the flat, and police were called.

Miller’s solicitor told the court the pair’s relationship was over, but pointed out that a social work report prepared following Miller’s guilty plea was in positive terms.

The lawyer said: “He has been in that revolving door of custody for a number of years and has never been afforded the opportunity of a community-based disposal.

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“He’s asking for that opportunity. He has a dreadful record, there is no getting away from that, and there is a portion [of a previous prison sentence] which doesn’t expire until July.

“But he is asking for the help, support and structure that a community payback order could give him.”

Sheriff John Hamilton said: “Your record is shocking. It would be very easy to send you to jail. But I’m not going to do that. A community payback order might actually be more difficult for you – if you breach it, there will be no alternative left.”

Miller was put under social workers’ supervision for 12 months, and was ordered to do 200 hours’ unpaid work.