A scorned ex snuck into his former partner’s house to throw talcum powder on her clothes and hide her make-up.

On Thursday at Alloa Sheriff Court, Connor Smith admitted engaging in a course of conduct that caused his ex-girlfriend fear and alarm between August 18-19 this year.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty to repeatedly sending unwanted text messages that were of an offensive and threatening nature.

He also admitted attending at the complainer’s home address in Tullibody’s Main Street uninvited and entering said property where he damaged and poured talcum powder on her clothing and hid her make-up.

Fiscal depute Adrian Fraser told the court that the former couple had been together for around four years, but the relationship had broken down a few weeks before the start of the incident.

On August 18, the complainer had locked her doors when she left for work, however the windows were left open.

When she returned home on a break at around 6pm, the accused was found in her open doorway. He was described as “laughing”.

After 15 minutes she returned to work, locking up again. Smith was outside at this point and asked for a lift into Alloa. His ex refused.

The complainer returned home at around 9.30pm. She got changed and then drove out to a friend’s house.

Later that night she received a barrage of unwanted messages from the accused.

Within the texts he stated: “You f*cking ruined my life. I’m angry.”

He told his ex she needed a “reality check” and seem aggrieved that she did not react to threats of self-harm he sent the night before.

When the complainer got home, she found the damage to her clothing and make-up.

Defending, Kelly Howe claimed that her client committed the offences during a “highly emotional state”.

According to Smith, of Woodburn Drive in Alloa, his ex-girlfriend had admitted to cheating on him numerous times throughout their relationship.

Ms Howe stated that the accused’s eyes were now open and he had no desire to return to the relationship.

Sheriff David Griffiths said the list of text messaged did not make for “happy reading”.

He sentenced Smith to a Community Payback Order with 100 hours of unpaid work to be completed within six months.

Sheriff Griffiths also granted a Non-Harassment Order to which the accused cannot contact his ex for two years.