A MAN who threatened to kill his wife as he pursued her around the house on New Year’s Day has been given community service.

John Wilson, 42, of Gamekeepers Cottage, Ballantrae, seized the woman by her neck and pushed her, causing her to fall to the ground. While she was on the ground he repeatedly kicked her, grabbed hold of her arm and pulled it behind her back, injuring her.

On the same day, Wilson acted in an intimidating manner when he overturned a cabinet of DVDs and pulled pictures from the wall. The 42-year-old also breached his bail conditions. He had been told not to approach or contact his wife, but did so on January 3, the same day he had been granted bail.

Wilson appeared before Sheriff Desmond Leslie at Ayr Sheriff Court last week. The court heard how the pair had been married for two years and had been together for five.

Depute Fiscal Jason Bell said: “At 2am there was a disagreement between them and Wilson became aggressive. He was under the influence of alcohol.

"The complainer was with the accused’s mother and they tried to put him to bed but he continued to be aggressive. He grabbed hold of his wife by the throat, repeatedly pushed her before grabbing hold of her arms. 

“The woman and her mother in law tried to calm Wilson down. Police were contacted. Wilson grabbed hold of the DVD cabinet and pushed it over. He shouted that he was going to kill his wife and continued to pull her by the arms. 

“Wilson was granted bail in January but breached it when he returned to the house. Police attended to carry out a back ground check. The complainer was hysterical towards the officers but eventually let them in.”

Speaking on his behalf, defence solicitor, Hugh Duncan, said: “The complainer has confirmed this is a one off. 

“The report suggests that supervision may be of assistance given the alcohol intake and offending as a result.

“Mr Wilson is someone who is quite willing to do unpaid work. There has been a full reconciliation with his wife and his mother who resides at the property.”

Addressing the dock, Sheriff Leslie, said: “It is clear you need some assistance to help address excessive drinking. You know the consequences of this behaviour. I hope this does not re-occur.”

Wilson has been placed on a community payback order and will remain under supervision for one year.