A COMMERCIAL diver who grabbed his ex-partner by the throat in Helensburgh and then hurled abuse at police who responded has been spared a jail sentence.

Ryan Gilpin was arrested for attacking the woman, and then a second time for breaking bail restrictions just hours after he was freed by a court.

In both incidents the 34-year-old launched a tirade at police.

Gilpin, listed in court papers with addresses in Buchanan Road and Kirkmichael Road in Helensburgh, and Padiham Road, Burnley, previously admitted assaulting the woman and seizing her by the throat on April 5, 2021.

Under the law, the seriousness of the offence is aggravated because the victim was a partner or ex-partner of the accused.

Gilpin also shouted, swore, adopted an aggressive demeanour and uttered offensive remarks to police.

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This offence was also aggravated – this time by prejudice relating to a person’s disability.

The next day, he broke a bail order and again shouted, swore and uttered threats of violence towards police.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard last Tuesday that Gilpin had been in a relationship for about 10 years prior to the couple separating in March 2020, though he continued to live at the address.

The court was told a child had knocked at a neighbour’s door and asked them to call police.

Officers arrived and found Gilpin standing outside the address, but the woman said she didn’t want to make a statement and initially shut the door on officers before gesturing to indicate Gilpin had grabbed her by the neck.

When arrested, Gilpin told police “who are you looking at, you specky c***?” and “f*** off you sp***y”.

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He was released on bail after appearing in court on April 6, and told not to go to Buchanan Road or contact the victim – but when police went to the property that night to tell the woman about the bail conditions it was Gilpin who answered the door.

He said he didn’t “give a f***” when informed of the first charge and “rack them up” to a second.

Gilpin’s defence solicitor told the court his client was “embarrassed and remorseful” for his behaviour.

Sheriff Hugh McGinty put Gilpin on a community payback order which will see him supervised by social workers for a year. He must also do 140 hours of unpaid work in the same time.

He must also pay a fine of £600 and a £40 “victim surcharge”.