A CLYDEBANK bar owner has been ordered to make a donation to charity - after he pleaded guilty to sending threatening and abusive messages to his ex.

Andrew McQuade appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to admit the charge of sending "grossly offensive, indecent or menacing" messages.

Sheriff John Hamilton made the unusual order of instructing McQuade to make the charitable donation, while deferring sentence until April 16 for him to be of good behaviour.

McQuade owns The Cabin, in Dalmuir, as well as another bar in Paisley.

The 31-year-old had been in a relationship with the victim for two years before the split.

On August 15, he sent the messages via social media.

Prosecutor Meghan Glancey told the court: “This offence is aggravated as it is against a partner or former partner.”

She then handed a transcript of the offending messages to Sheriff Hamilton to have a look at.

Ms Glancey continued: “Both were in a relationship, but it ended badly in June 2019.

“They have no children together.”

McQuade’s defence agent told the court: “Mr McQuade deeply regrets his behaviour and conduct.

“He was in a relationship for two years, during which time the complainer subjected him to mental torture towards the end of the relationship, and he had also been cheating on him.

“He [McQuade] currently owns two bars, one in Clydebank and one in Paisley.

“He works six days a week and does a lot of charity work, including opening on Christmas Day this year to feed the homeless.

“This was a one-off. He has never been in trouble at court before.

“I would submit this could be deferred for good behaviour.”

After reading the messages, Sheriff Hamilton addressed McQuade, telling him: “What a stupid thing to do.

“You are 31, but you have learned the hard way what happens on social media, stays on social media.

“If you had said these things during a normal argument, this would not have ended up in court.

“I shall defer sentence for four months for you to be of good behaviour.”

Ordering McQuade to make a payment to charity as punishment, Sheriff Hamilton said: “You are to make a payment of £250 to an appropriate charity. One which is concerned with domestic abuse or the LGBTQ community.”

Sheriff Hamilton then asked the defence lawyer if the pair were still in contact.

Upon being told they were not, he added: “I will agree this could be deferred for good behaviour.

“I am not going to impose a non-harassment order.

“There should be no further adverse contact between you and [the victim].”

McQuade was ordained to appear back at court on April 16, and to be of good behaviour in the meantime.