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Community payback order for Alness man who posted Snapchat video threatening his ex-partner


By Staff Reporter

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An Alness man posted a video of himself on Snapchat “ranting and raving” about his former partner.

Ian Docherty, Firhill, called the woman a “two-faced, lying cow”, and said she would “get what is coming to her".

But Tain Sheriff Court heard today that police were called in after his ex saw the video and felt threatened by it.

Docherty (42), appeared for sentencing having previously tendered a guilty plea to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm.

Tain Sheriff Court.
Tain Sheriff Court.

Procurator fiscal depute Hilary Michopoulou said the Snapchat video was filmed on Saturday, July 10, last year but where it was taken was unknown.

It had been put up for public viewing and both the accused’s former partner and a friend of hers were able to view it on the same day.

They recognised the accused and his Snapchat username, which was listed on the site.

Docherty named his partner in the video and called her a "two-faced lying cow" who would "get what is coming to her". He also said: "I have got hard mates".

Ms Michopoulou told the court that the accused’s former partner felt it was a threat of harm towards her, as did her friend. Police were contacted.

“When officers arrived at the woman’s home they saw her to be stressed and anxious. Police then made attempts to track Mr Docherty and did so about 1.30am,” said the procurator fiscal depute.

Defence agent Graham Mann said at the time of the incident his client, who has previous convictions related to domestic incidents, was in a “lot of trouble” involving road traffic accidents and his mental health was poor.

But he said Docherty accepted that his behaviour in posting the video had been “misguided”.

Sheriff Gary Aitken placed Docherty on a two-year community payback order with the requirement that he undertake the Caledonian programme - a behaviour programme for men convicted of domestic abuse.

He also imposed a non-harassment order for two years banning Docherty from approaching or contacting his former partner.

He told Docherty: “You are indeed developing something of a record in relation to domestic offending and that needs to stop.”


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