A MUSSELBURGH man has been ordered to stay away from his former partner after he flouted court conditions not to contact the woman.

Michael Arpino was told to stay away from his ex following a domestic case at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last June.

Arpino, of Delta Crescent, initially adhered to the condition but he subsequently broke the strict court ruling by phoning the woman last October.

The court was told last Friday that Arpino, 57, called his former partner at about 7.30pm as she was driving.

Fiscal Bruce McCrossan said that the woman immediately recognised his voice and pulled over to speak to him. The call lasted about 10 minutes.

The prosecutor added that the woman became upset during the call and subsequently told a friend about the call from her former partner. Police were then called in to deal with the matter.

The court heard that Arpino wanted to talk about ongoing court proceedings between the pair and that he had not been abusive but did have slurred speech due to his alcohol intake.

Solicitor Mr Henry said that his client was an unemployed locksmith but was due to start a new position in Ireland.

The lawyer said that the couple had been together for 20 years before breaking up last year and Arpino now wanted to “put all this behind him and get back to working”.

Sheriff Frank Crowe acknowledged that there had been “no threats” during the call and decided to admonish Arpino on the charge.

But Sheriff Crowe did also issue a non-harassment order, effectively banning Arpino from contacting or approaching his ex-partner in any way for the next six months.