A DRUNK who refused to leave his partner's home has been banned from contacting or making comments about her for three years.

Eric Thomson, 47, previously pleaded guilty to shouting, repeatedly refusing to leave the woman's home and striking a TV causing damage.

The offence on October 17, 2023, at a home in Old Kilpatrick, was aggravated by being against a partner or ex.

Then between November 12 and January 14, he repeatedly sent the woman messages and broke a court-imposed bail order.

Thomson, of Gerardine Court, Alexandria, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on February 27 for sentencing.

The fiscal depute said that around 9am, the woman headed to work.

Around 10.20am, she got a message from Thomson that he was still in her home. She asked him to leave but he refused.

Around 12.30pm, she left work to go home and asked the man if he had been drinking. He said "only two cans". The woman poured two more down the drain before returning to the man and asking him to leave.

He refused and the woman contacted his family for assistance. She went into a bedroom and then packed up his belongings.

Thomson began shouting and said he was going to smash the TV - then doing so.

Police attended after a call to 999.

At court, his defence solicitor said: "He is remorseful and has taken responsibility for his actions.

"At the time of the offence, he was under the influence of alcohol. He suffers from depression and used alcohol as a coping mechanism."

She said her client does not drink "at all" now.

"He feels he is in a much better mindset," she added. "They had been in a relationship for five years and described it as a loving relationship.

"But he entirely accepts [the incident] could cause fear and alarm."

Sheriff Frances McCartney imposed a community payback order for 18 months with supervision by social workers. He must take mental health and addiction counselling when required, and also attend the Caledonian Project.

He must do a total of 220 hours of unpaid work in the community within a year.

And a non-harassment order was imposed for three years blocking contact with the woman or posting comments on social media about her.