A MAN with four convictions for domestic abuse has been allowed to keep his freedom - for now.
Scott Goetz claimed it was a "set-up" when police arrested him on June 13 this year at a property in Irvine.
The 53-year-old had been in a relationship for about two years and lived with his partner since February.
At around 12.45am, he went into the bedroom and saw the woman on her phone and told her she should not be.
He took hold of her wrist and used it to attack his own head, heard Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.
The woman was able to free herself and went to the kitchen. He followed and barged past her.
She called police while Goetz continued to shout at her and follow her around the property, in Leven Place.
When cautioned and charged, Goetz said: "I was set up."
He pleaded guilty on July 2 to seizing his partner by the wrist, using her hand to strike himself, shout, barge by her and follow her around the house. The crime was aggravated by being against a partner or ex.
Returning to court on August 3 for sentencing, defence solicitor Glenn Davis said his client only had four convictions, but they were all domestic-related.
He said the background to the latest incident was Goetz had taken alcohol and was jealous of the woman getting messages from her ex-husband.
Mr Davis described the man as a "vulnerable adult suffering from insecurity".
"There's a focus for intervention", he added.
"In times of crisis, he appears to resort to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
"He is desperate to resume family life with the complainer."
Sheriff Colin Bissett said: "On the basis of your record, I'm perfectly entitled to send you to custody.
"It's well past time you address the problems that are making you behave this way."
He imposed 12 months of supervision by social workers. Goetz must also do 160 hours of unpaid work within that time.
He was warned that if there was any suggestion he wasn't doing as ordered, he would return to court and be sent to jail.
No non-harassment order was imposed.
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