AN UNEMPLOYED man was told he cannot risk going off the rails again after he pleaded guilty to abusive behaviour towards his ex-partner at Peebles Sheriff Court .

Paul Thompson, 35, got into an argument after visiting his four-and-half month old child in Kingsmeadows Road, Peebles.

“He started making derogatory comments to his former partner,” said Procurator fiscal depute Tess Bradley.

“He started slamming doors and continued to take issue about how she was looking after the baby. He was shouting and screaming at her and she called the police.

“Later on that evening when the police spoke to the accused at his home address he said he had little recollection of events.” Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said: “His alcohol consumption is the reason for his memory loss. He is taking steps for alcohol abuse and the relationship is finished.” Sheriff John Halley said the offence was at the lower end of scale and fined Thompson £266 - it would have been £400 had he not pleaded guilty.

“You now have two offences of a similar nature to your name and you can’t afford to have another one,” he said.