A jealous dad choked his former partner and threatened to set her on fire after their relationship broke down.
Scott McGarry warned the woman he would harass her until he drove her to take her own life.
The 36-year-old appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week and admitted a course of abusive conduct against her.
Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said the couple had four children but separated in May 2024 after 13 years together.
The woman continued to live at their home in Lanrigg View, Stonehouse, while McGarry moved in with a relative in Dumbarton.
Their separation was “fairly amicable” until Boxing Day in 2024 when the woman told McGarry she was seeing someone else.
Mr Thomson told the court: “She then received threats and abuse from him in the form of phone calls and texts on a regular basis.
“One day the woman was at his home in Dumbarton.
“McGarry seized her by the throat in the front garden and threw her to the ground.
“While she was on the ground he continued to compress her neck and she experienced breathing difficulties.
“McGarry’s brother intervened and dragged him off her. Later the woman’s relatives noted bruising to her neck and scratches to her back.”
On another occasion McGarry caused his ex-partner to stop as she drove off after a visit to his home. He grabbed the keys from the ignition and threw them into bushes.
She managed to find them and drove away, but he followed and caused her to pull into a filling station car park on the A82 where he shouted and swore at her.
The woman arranged to meet McGarry regarding a family matter in Clydebank on February 28 last year and on that occasion he became aggressive and threatened to slash her car tyres.
The abusive messages continued and included threats that an unidentified woman would “give her a doing”.
McGarry warned his ex that his behaviour would go on “until such time as you can’t take any more and commit suicide”.
On March 9 last year she was with her sister and mother when McGarry phoned.
Mr Thomson said: “He became abusive and warned he was going to set her on fire and bite her nose off.
“The call was recorded and the accused’s threats prompted his ex-partner to contact the police.”
Defence lawyer Craig Dewar said McGarry has been on bail since an initial court appearance in April last year with conditions not to contact his ex.
Mr Dewar stressed: “He has complied with that order and there have been no issues.
“I have a letter from his employer who regards him as a valued worker.”
Sheriff Michael Higgins told McGarry: “This is a very serious matter. Your conduct is very troubling.”
Sentence was deferred until next month for background reports and an electronic tagging assessment.
The sheriff is considering a “very lengthy” non-harassment order.
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