A MAN who threw a "tantrum" in front of his former partner by dumping food on the floor of his home in Helensburgh has been slammed for his "infantile" behaviour.

Rodolfo Vitoria, 32, appeared for sentencing last week over an incident at his then home in West King Street.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard that the couple had been in a relationship for about seven years.

Both had been out socialising in Helensburgh on February 18, the procurator fiscal depute said, with Vitoria's partner returning home first and Vitoria following a short time later.

The prosecutor said Vitoria's partner had left first because Vitoria "was acting in a confrontational manner most of the evening".

Vitoria began to challenge the man and told him: "You're a f***ing c*nt".

He then began to empty the contents of the fridge on to the floor, then did the same with the contents of a takeaway container, before damaging soft furnishings.

Police were contacted and later attended the property where they found Vitoria's partner "visibly upset".

Pointing to the mess on the floor, Vitoria told officers: "It was me that done that."

Vitoria had earlier pleaded guilty to acting in an aggressive manner by shouting, swearing, making offensive remarks, throwing food on the floor, kicking over lamps, emptying the contents of plant pots, and placing his partner in a state of fear or alarm.

The offence was aggravated because it involved a partner or ex.

At a hearing on March 19, the Crown initially said the victim was "supportive" of a non-harassment order.

But the prosecution later made contact with the victim again and learned that was no longer the case.

Defence solicitor Stephen McGuire said his client, now of Ord Terrace, Inverness, had received messages from the now ex, reading out some of them in court.

Mr McGuire said: "The relationship came to an end towards the end of last year but they remained under the same roof, effectively as flatmates.

"He has had time to reflect. He is ashamed of his behaviour."

Sheriff William Gallacher said: "The behaviour is unpleasant, but almost infantile. Amost a tantrum.

"It's hard to visualise that wasn't humiliating."

Mr McGuire said: "That was not his intention."

The sheriff deferred sentence for Vitoria to be of good behaviour, and altered Vitoria's bail conditions to allow contact between the men.

However, a bail condition banning Vitoria from the property in West King Street where the incident happened remains in place.

"I expect you and he to behave as grown-ups," the sheriff added.

The case will call again on July 26.