A CLACKS man spat on his partner and verbally abused her, a court has heard.

Martin Bourne had been living with the woman in Coalsnaughton at the time of the incident, which took place on January 25 this year.

An argument broke out between the accused and the complainer, which then became physical with the two “engaged in a struggle”. But before that, Bourne spat on her and aimed verbal abuse at her.

The accused, whose address was given as care of the homeless team at Clackmannanshire Council, appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday last week to be sentenced.

His defence agent noted that his client had “pled guilty to a very restricted charge” of assault, with reference to the complainer being pushed into furniture and to the ground being deleted.

He also admitted a separate offence of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on the same occasion.

Prosecutor Ruaridh Ferguson said the row started in the living room at around 5pm, which led Bourne to spit on the complainer’s head.

The depute fiscal added: “The accused then began to use offensive terms, calling her a slut and a whore and this put her in a state of fear and alarm.

“Police were contacted the next day and during his interview the accused was fairly candid with officers but made no reply to caution and charge.”

Greg Cunningham, defending, said the offence brought a “swift end” to the relationship – one which he described as “potentially toxic”.

He also suggested that his client was not the only party at fault during the incident.

The solicitor told the court: “His behaviour was totally inappropriate and he is remorseful for that.

“However, the complainer herself is also prone to bouts of temper and exaggeration ... it is clear that it was not only Mr Bourne who was misbehaving.”

Mr Cunningham also admitted that Bourne had a previous conviction for an offence against the same complainer but that it was dealt with by way of an absolute discharge.

In sentencing, Sheriff Michael Fletcher ordered the 22-year-old to be supervised for one year in respect of both the assault and the threatening and abusive behaviour charge.