A FORMER Alloa man has been given 105 days behind bars following a number of public order offences.

Christopher Spence (30) appeared from custody at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday (19 March) facing a total of eight deferred sentences.

The former soldier, who recently moved to an address in Kilmarnock, was told he ‘lacked remorse’ for his actions and that he regularly fails to adhere to court orders.

The court also heard that Spence had a number of previous convictions for violence and had also served a ‘fairly substantial’ prison term in 2007.

He pleaded guilty to the majority of the charges put before him.

On 4 July 2014 he acted in an abusive and threatening manner towards his former partner, with whom he has a daughter.

At a property on Balfour Street, Alloa, he did shout, swear, attempt to prevent her from driving off by standing in the roadway before he brandished a brush and a stone at the car, while banging on the window, causing fear and alarm to the young child in the car.

Then on 8 July, while in the Bobbing John pub in Alloa, he did act in a threatening manner before having to be ejected.

Depute fiscal Marie Claire Chaffey told the court that on that occasion he mashed his hands together and told a woman he was going to ‘smash her’.

He then told the complainer that the only reason he hadn’t attacked her was because of the cameras in the pub, but added: ‘They’re not everywhere.’ On 17 July, he and his ex-partner were driving along the A907 near to the Blackgrange Roundabout when ‘a fight broke out’ in the car.

The complainer then stopped the car and the two then got out, before having a physical altercation in front of other drivers.

Spence was then placed on bail with the condition that he did not have any contact with his ex-partner, except for a handful of exceptions.

However, on 26 July he entered a property in Alloa where she was present before again acting in a threatening manner.

He then moved to Kilmarnock and was banned from entering Alloa or contacting his former partner.

But on 4 February 2015, he once again broke these conditions when he was spotted on Parliament Walk.

He was then arrested on 14 February when he entered Arran Court. Officers then found two diazepam tablets on him at Stirling Police Office.

His defence agent Ken Dalling said his client had shown a willingness to engage with the authorities and was looking to ease relations with his former partner for the sake of the daughter they have.

Mr Dalling also told Sherrif Wade that these most recent offences were not ‘as serious’ as the those which Spence had previous been convicted of in the past.

He said: “It is my submission that Mr Spence should be placed back in the community and made subject to a supervision order.

“There has been a decrease in the level of his offending and the majority of the cases before the court today relate to a relationship which is now over.

“The wider picture must be that of his rehabilitation with regards his combat stress and personality issues.

“I would argue that the period of custody which is behind him now could act as a springboard for him and will help him engage with a community disposal.

Mr Dalling added: “I don’t accept that these offences in themselves are serious. Certainly, they are not instances of further violent offending.

“The question now is of his daughter. He realises that until such time as he can demonstrate that he is rehabilitated, he will not be able to re-enter that child’s life.

“He recognises that and hopes that with the court’s indulgence that he can be given the opportunity to do that.” Sheriff Wade did not accept Mr Dalling’s submissions and took a dim view of Spence’s recent conduct.

She said: “I’ve listened very carefully to all that has been said today and it is most unfortunate that you have found yourself in this position today.

“Had your offending stopped on 4 July then this matter would likely have been dealt with by deferring sentence pending your good behaviour.

“However, that is not the case and your record indicates that you have offended significantly over the last 10 years with previous convictions for assault.

“Furthermore, you have repeatedly failed to comply with court orders and that is simply not acceptable.

“You don’t seem to appreciate the seriousness of these offences and social workers have noted that you appear to lack remorse.

“With all that in mind, I am satisfied that custody is the appropriate disposal here.” Sheriff Wade ruled that Spence serve 40 days for the incident on Balfour Street and a further 50 days for the offences carried out at the Bobbing John and near the Blackgrange roundabout.

For the trial matter, she handed him a 60-day term and order that he serve another 55 day sentence for breaking his bail conditions in February.

All told, the sentence totalled at 205 days but was discounted to 105 days due to time already served and will run from Thursday’s date.