News / Man admits ‘appalling’ abuse towards partner
A TWENTY three year old man has pleaded guilty to subjecting his vulnerable former partner to a “devastating” outburst of abuse after drinking heavily.
Chae Coleman, of Hoofields, Lerwick, admitted to shouting and swearing at the woman, calling her derogatory names, throwing ornaments and breaking a soundbar at an address in Sandwick on 15 and 16 July this year.
Appearing from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Tuesday, Coleman also admitted sending his partner’s mother Facebook messages that used offensive, threatening and foul language and called her derogatory names.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the couple – along with her sister – had been at his partner’s mum’s house in Sandwick. Alcohol was being consumed and the mood was good, but later in the evening he became reclusive.
Coleman had taken control of the music and, having consumed most of a bottle of gin, took exception to being asked to turn down the volume. He directed his anger at his partner and made “horrible comments about her appearance”, the fiscal said.
She and her sister left the house, and when they returned he apologised, but then began demanding an E-cigarette. The two women went to bed but awoke at around 3am to the sound of banging and found ornaments all over the floor.
Coleman used the “same filthy language and descriptions of her” before being told to leave.
He spent an hour in a nearby bus stop where he attempted to call his partner’s mother 20 times and sent her threatening messages, before returning to the house where he “woke them again and continued with the same sort of abuse”.
His partner eventually reported the matter to the police, which “hadn’t been easy for her”, Mackenzie said. The incident had a “devastating impact” on her and she had been hospitalised for the sake of her mental health.
Their relationship is now over, the fiscal said, and Coleman’s conduct indicated an immaturity: “He seems to think that drinking spirits gives him the entitlement to behave in an appalling manner.”
Sheriff Philip Mann deferred sentence until 30 August for a criminal justice social inquiry report to be prepared.
He granted bail with the special condition that Coleman must not approach either of the complainers and must not enter the village of Sandwick, while consideration of the fiscal’s request for an 18-month non-harassment order has also been continued until the end of the month.
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