A DOMESTIC offender who grabbed a knife while in his ex-partner’s house has been given the chance to be of good behaviour, after a court heard his offence was a “one-off”.

Dylan Robertson, 22, was granted the reprieve whilst appearing for sentencing at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, April 25.

He previously pled guilty to causing his former partner fear or alarm on November 30 last year, by attending at her address in Alloa, and refusing to leave when asked.

He then took possession of a knife whilst inside the property, shouted, attempted to kick her on the body, and threw a cigarette lighter which struck her on the body.

The charge Robertson admitted had been heavily amended, and reference to him also repeatedly attempting to contact his ex-partner and watching her home from his vehicle had been deleted.

In mitigation, solicitor Aime Allan told the court on Thursday that her client was appearing as a first offender.

Then, referring to a Criminal Justice Social Work report, she said: “You will see from the report that he has had significant mental health difficulties.

“I appreciate there is some difficulty for Mr Robertson in respect of this report in relation to him denying parts of the charge.

“After meeting with a social worker, the parts in which he plead guilty to were reiterated and he was content with that.

“It might have been the case that he was simply confused.”

Sheriff David Mackie said he was satisfied from the contents of the report that the incident was a “one-off episode”, and took account of the fact it was a first offence.

He then deferred sentencing Robertson, of Bellevue Park in Alloa, for four months to give him the chance to be of good behaviour.

The case will call again in August.