A SCORNED lover who threatened to share explicit photos of his ex on social media days after assaulting her has been handed a community-based punishment.

Robert Wilson, of Kilwinning, warned his former partner that he would post the revenge porn online following their break-up in December last year.

The 39-year-old, who had been in a relationship with the woman for more than a year, attacked her after a disagreement at a property on his home street in Dalry.

A sentencing hearing was told last week that Wilson and the victim 'engaged in a verbal argument' around midnight on December 3, 2023 and the complainer took his phone.

A Crown prosecutor told the court: "The accused then assaulted her by grabbing her right hand and twisting it, allowing the phone to fall to the ground.

"Due to the force of the accused's hand, the complainer fell to the ground.

"Both parties agreed she would stay within the home that night, however, they slept separately.

"She didn't suffer any injuries or require any medical intervention."

Less than a fortnight later, at an address in Greenock, Wilson told the woman 'I am going to post your naked pictures' during a phone call regarding the collection of his belongings from her home.

The procurator fiscal depute said: "The accused ended the phone call and the complainer contacted police due to being in fear that he would post her explicit pictures.

"He apologised soon after this to her."

The complainer reported the incident on Boxing Day and Wilson was arrested in January.

Responding to the assault charge, he told officers: "I thought I grabbed my phone as she grabbed it off me."

In relation to the threat charge, he replied: "It was said in anger. I deleted the pictures."

Defence solicitor Amy Spencer told the sentencing hearing at Greenock Sheriff Court: "He has never behaved like this previously and he appears to have displayed guilt and remorse, reflected by the timing of his plea."

Sheriff Anthony McGeehan told Wilson: "The court takes a very dim view of domestic abuse.

"This was a particularly nasty threat to make and caused understandable concern to the complainer, albeit it was a threat that you did not follow through on."

The sheriff said he had taken account of the fact that Wilson apologised, pleaded guilty and had 'shown remorse' in a background social work report.

As a direct alternative to custody, Wilson, of Montgomerie Terrace in Kilwinning, was ordered to complete 75 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

He will also be supervised for a year and must not approach or contact his ex for the same period of time.