A MUSSELBURGH man has been told he will go to jail if he goes near his former partner again.

Jamie Cuthbert turned up at the woman’s home and repeatedly knocked on the door and rang the bell, refusing to leave when asked to do so and shouting and swearing at the woman.

The 25-year-old also acted in an aggressive manner and demanded entry to the home at Balfour Square, Tranent, in October last year.

Cuthbert, of Delta Drive, had previously pleaded guilty to the offence and returned to Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Thursday for sentencing.

The court heard that the couple’s relationship was now over and the unemployed bricklayer’s labourer was currently looking for employment.

Sheriff John Cook was also told that Cuthbert had breached part of his bail conditions last month by attempting to contact the woman, despite having been told not to go near her.

Sheriff Cook told Cuthbert that his recent domestic offending was “concerning and serious” and a “custodial sentence is merited in this case”.

But the sheriff delivered there was an alternative to a custodial sentence and ordered Cuthbert to carry out a total of 165 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He was also handed a two-year non-harassment order, meaning he cannot approach or contact the woman in any way.

Sheriff Cook added: “Should you breach this order, a custodial sentence will be inevitable.”

Cuthbert admitted to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at an address at Balfour Square, Tranent, on October 25 last year.