A DOMESTIC offender was warned last week that he would be jailed if he didn't change his attitude towards the offence.

Paul Ross received the reprimand when he appeared in the dock for sentencing at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, February 6.

The 43-year-old previously admitted assaulting his ex-partner to her injury on July 8 last year, by pinning her against a wall then attempting to drag her into his car.

Then on August 9 he became abusive towards the same woman by following her as she travelled by taxi from Cambus to Tullibody, before opening the vehicle door and threatening her with violence.

And he breached his bail conditions by repeatedly communicating with her while banned from doing so between December 13, 2019 and January 3, 2020.

In court on Thursday, Sheriff Craig Harris was furious after reading a background report prepared ahead of Ross' sentencing.

He said: "The contents at page four of the report about domestic abuse are such that Mr Ross is at the forefront of the court's mind for custody.

"If he doesn't understand domestic abuse, and he's not willing to understand domestic abuse, I will take steps to remove him from the risk of committing another domestic [offence]."

Grazia Robertson, defending, asked for her client's sentencing to be deferred to check whether he's suitable for the Caledonian Programme for domestic offenders.

Sheriff Harris then asked Ross if he was willing to have a rethink of his views.

After receiving a nonchalant shrug in reply, said: "Do not shrug your shoulders at me."

He then further deferred sentencing Ross, of Lomond Court in Alloa, so the Caledonian assessment could be completed.