Falkirk dad told ex he'd choke her to death in argument over child support agency

Neal Blighe (44), 61 Rosebank Avenue, Falkirk, flew into a fit of fury when he learned he was being asked to hand over money to the agency as he sought to have access to his son.

Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, Blighe had admitted behaving threateningly by repeatedly swearing at the mother of his child via email and uttering offensive remarks, threats to damage her property, threats of violence and threats to kill her.

He committed the offences on September 29 and October 23 last year.

Procurator fiscal depute Kristina Kelly said: “The complainer has custody of the child. Contact is had by the accused.

“In September 2020, the complainer received an email from the accused stating, ‘You better get on the phone and sort this out or I’ll kill you with my bare hands’.

“In October, the complainer left a message asking when he spoke to the agency. He made brief comments about that matter then said, ‘It’ll cost you in the end, I’ll slash your curtains’.”

Man threatened ex's dad and brother in Carronshore while in possession of sword

The court heard Blighe also told the woman he would make her life “hell”.

In another rant, he vowed: “I swear to God I’ll come to your house and choke you to death and that’s a promise.”

His defence solicitor told Sheriff Christopher Shead that Blighe had pleaded guilty at the outset and has “very limited previous convictions”.

The solicitor said: “He’s been through the courts and has been awarded contact.

“He’s religiously paid money. The next thing he knew, the agency was demanding quite a lot of money from him and he accepts he lost his temper.

“This was, to him, the final straw and he said some silly things he realises he shouldn’t have. The dispute was about this money which he absolutely feels he’s not due.

“There’s been an ongoing conversation to sort it out and he gets upset when it’s not being sorted out.”

The court was told Blighe is in full-time employment and works offshore.

Sheriff Shead sentenced Blighe to 120 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and made him subject to a non-harassment order, preventing him from contacting the victim for a year.

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