Elgin man told girlfriend he would kill her if she left him during abusive relationship

A man who abused his girlfriend and told her “leave me and I will kill you” has been sentenced to unpaid work.

Robert Cook, of McIntosh Drive in Elgin, had a 20-month-long relationship with the woman, which was blighted by abuse and threats, Inverness Sheriff Court heard.

The relationship began on in July 2022, but on their return from a holiday in Shetland in February 2023, he became angry with her when she received a text message from a male friend.

Fiscal depute Susan Love told Sheriff Ian Cruickshank: "She was in the front seat and he began shouting and swearing at her, making her cry.

“He began driving erratically and undertook a lorry, making her fear for her life."

Ms Love then related a number of instances which took place over the next year where he threw a jacket at her, causing a bruise, and shouted and swore at her while on another short holiday.

The court was told that Cook had further arguments with his partner and on one occasion he grabbed her by the wrists and pushed his head against hers, leaving her with bruised wrists.

Ms Love added: "He also sent her text messages where he would threaten to burn her clothes and called her "a piece of s**t.

“He was unable to accept that the relationship was over and he told her: 'leave me and I will kill you.'“

Defence solicitor advocate Mike Chapman said his client "accepted his behaviour fell below what would be acceptable and he has taken steps to address if by seeing a life coach to help him manage his emotions going forward”.

Sheriff Cruickshank ordered Cook, who admitted a course of abusive conduct towards his ex-partner between February 2023 and February 2024, to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work as an alternative to prison.

He also placed him under two years of social work supervision and banned him from contacting or approaching his victim for five years.