Renfrewshire thug who "blatantly" breached court order three times avoids jail

A man who repeatedly phoned and sent unwanted messages to his ex-partner while he was in prison has been warned he will be going straight to jail if he doesn’t pay his fine on time.

Ryan Wilkie was made subject to a non-harassment order on February 4, 2021 at Paisley Sheriff Court which prevented him from approaching or contacting Danielle McClorey.

And on May 4 that year, Wilkie was granted bail at the town’s court on the condition he didn’t approach or contact Ms McClorey and that he didn’t enter Kilbarchan.

However, the thug breached the court order by repeatedly contacting his ex while he was in HMP Low Moss jail, Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, between February 12, 2022 and February 19, 2022.

Procurator fiscal depute Jason Stark previously told the town’s court how the 30-year-old engaged in a “course of conduct” which was “abusive” of his ex.

While in HMP Low Moss, Wilkie repeatedly phoned and sent messages to Ms McClorey. He acted aggressively and threatened to damage her property.

The thug also repeatedly phoned and sent messages to one of his former partner’s friends and demanded to know where Ms McClorey was and who she was with.

Sheriff Tom McCartney slammed Wilkie, stating: “I’m trying to think of the last time I saw such a blatant disregard for a court order. Three blatant breaches are a serious matter.”

Defence agent Rhona Lynch told the court her client has “turned his life around”.

She explained: “He has dramatically changed his life around in the last 18 months. He has moved away from the area now and lives with his new partner who is pregnant. The baby is due to be born in August.

“The social work report states he is suitable for the Caledonian programme and that he applied himself very well during the assessment process where he was open and honest and discussed a background of trauma.

“The report states he’s not suitable for a restriction of liberty order now that he is living with his new pregnant partner, due to his history of domestic offending, even though there’s no suggestion of that here. He will do anything asked of him as an alternative to custody.”

As a “direct alternative to custody”, Sheriff McCartney placed Wilkie under supervision of the social work department for 30 months with the requirement he undertakes the Caledonian programme – a behaviour programme for men convicted of domestic abuse offences.

In addition, he was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and fined the sum of £1,800 and ordered to pay this at the rate of £200 per month.

However, Sheriff McCartney warned: “I will be imposing the alternative for non-payment if you fail to pay, given the gravity of the offences. That means there won’t be a fines enquiry – you’ll go straight to prison.”

A non-harassment order was also made prohibiting Wilkie, now of Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, from contacting or approaching Ms McClorey for four years.

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