A THREE Towns man who subjected his ex to verbal abuse in a "brief but harsh" exchange of words has been told to stay away from the woman for three years.

David Brown pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in Saltcoats on January 23 by shouting, swearing and uttering offensive remarks.

The 43-year-old was sentenced at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week.

Brown, of Kildonan Place, had been in a relationship with his former partner for 12 years and married for three but the court was told that the couple separated in September last year.

His solicitor said that in the build-up to this incident there had been tension over his contact with his three children, two of whom were from this relationship.

The procurator fiscal depute told the court that Brown had shared a social media post on the night of January 23 - months after they had split up - regarding their relationship, prompting an argument between the two.

The fiscal depute said: "During a call to their daughter, she [the witness] requested that her children returned home immediately from his house.

"The accused grabbed the phone from his daughter and shouted and swore, saying: 'Shut up, you f*****g m***o.'"

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The children were returned home and Brown followed them into the property as the domestic dispute continued.

The woman then ran into a bedroom and called police, with Brown calling her an "idiot" and "mentally deranged", according to the fiscal depute.

He was still there when police arrived.

Defence solicitor Brian Holliman said: "They separated in September. There are three children, two from this relationship. In the build-up to this incident there had been tension over his contact with the children.

"It was not entirely a one way street.

"There was a very brief but harsh exchange.

"He has accepted full responsibility for his conduct from the outset."

Brown was fined £200 plus a £10 victim surcharge, payable at a rate of £20 per week. A non-harassment order was also imposed for three years in respect of his former partner.

Sheriff Sheena Fraser told him: "By your early acceptance of guilt you clearly understand this behaviour should not be tolerated.

"The children were undoubtedly in a position to be affected by it."