A MAN who subjected his partner to a horrific campaign of domestic abuse has been spared jail.

Scott McAlinn, 35, pleaded guilty to a series of charges of abusive behaviour towards his then partner at their home in West Kilbride between June 2021 and June 2022.

He admitted shouting, swearing, behaving aggressively and monitoring his partner’s movements using a Ring doorbell device.

He also pleaded guilty to uttering threats of violence and derogatory remarks on June 30, 2021 and to slamming doors at the property, causing damage to the walls, on February 15, 2022.

McAlinn also confessed to repeatedly sending the woman, who is no longer his partner, text messages after being asked not to, to attempting to control her movements, uttering threats, repeatedly sounding his car horn, pulling wires from the walls of the property and repeatedly shouting and acting in an aggressive manner.

McAlinn was due to be sentenced at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last month, but the case was continued after a sheriff heard it was not yet clear whether McAlinn was suitable for a place on the Caledonian project, which aims to change the behaviour of domestic abusers.

McAlinn’s solicitor said his client had pleaded guilty midway through a trial to charges which were “significantly reduced” from the ones originally levelled by prosecutors.

In his sentencing hearing on August 5, the court heard how McAlinn was now reported as being suitable for the Caledonian project. 

His solicitor asked Sheriff Laura Mundell to consider a non-custodial sentence and no restriction on his movement due to his job away from home and the need to provide for his estranged family. 

He said: "There has been a substantial acceptance of responsibility. There isn't any prospect of the marriage surviving, but there is also no risk of further harm to the complainer. 

"This was a marriage in its death throes, that made for a tense and toxic atmosphere. Mr McAlinn is anxious to see his children again. 

"He is a 33-year-old first time offender who is an electrical superintendent frequently working offshore and abroad. A restriction of liberty order would harm his ongoing employment, and the complainer and their children would endure hardship because of this."

Sheriff Mundell replied: "When you were convicted, I told you I didn't think i'd heard a clearer example of relentless domestic abuse.

"I balanced that appalling course of conduct to your then wife with the fact that you are a first time offender. 

"I cannot tell you how close I have come to sending you to prison."

McAlinn was handed 200 hours of unpaid work alongside a supervision requirement for two years. He must also take part in the Caledonian project for two years.

A non-harassment order banning McAlinn from approaching, contacting or attempting to approach or contact his victim was also implemented for three years.