A DUNTOCHER man stuck two fingers up at a court order when he breached a bail condition a day after it was imposed by contacting his ex and threatening suicide.

Peter Connelly was released on bail from court, on March 27, with one of the conditions stating that he must not approach or contact his former partner.

But just 24 hours later he sent the woman an email in which he told her, “I couldn’t take the pain any more”, and added: “Don’t bother turning up at my funeral pretending you ever cared about me. You done this to me.”

Connelly, 31, appeared for sentencing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last Friday after pleading guilty to breaching a bail condition.

Fiscal depute Emma Thomson said: “The accused and the complainer are ex-partners. They were in a relationship for approximately a year. It ended in February.

“On March 27 he was given bail at Paisley Sheriff Court. On March 28, at 11.24am, the complainer was at home when she received an email from the accused.

“The complainer contacted police because she was concerned about the accused’s wellbeing. Police found the accused alone at his home address and he was conveyed to hospital.

“He was observed for some time and then deemed fit to be discharged.

“At 7.10pm that evening he was arrested for breaching his bail conditions.”

Connelly’s solicitor, Jonathan Paul, said his client had had a “horrendous period”, having had to cope with the death of his sister, cousin and four other relatives in a year.

Mr Paul added: “He was completely ill-advised. Clearly there are issues that he will have to consult with professionals to deal with.”

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Sheriff William Gallacher, labelling Connelly’s behaviour “insidious”, told him: “You were granted bail the day before this matter, and for your own reasons you decided to make contact.

“Behaviour of this type is all too frequently seen in those who choose to try to manipulate others for their own interests.

“Your former partner felt she had to do something to assist. That is virtually the reverse of what was required.”

Sheriff Gallacher imposed a two-year non-harassment order on Connelly, of Dalgliesh Avenue, who was also told to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and take part in the PAIR programme for domestic abuse offenders.