DOMESTIC ABUSER ON HIS 'VERY LAST CHANCE' TO AVOID PRISON
A domestic violence offender has been warned that he has received his "very last chance" to adhere to a court order, or face a lengthy prison sentence.Daniel Wells was cautioned by a sheriff that any violation of the community payback and non-harassment orders imposed on him would result in his imprisonment.
Sheriff Wendy Sheehan stated: “I will give you a chance of the programme but I need to you to understand that my first instinct was to start at a sentence of two years and then discount that to 16 months.
“I am prepared to give you a chance but I have some trepidation about that.” She also warned Wells that any breach of the order or failure to attend scheduled appointments would lead to his return to custody.
Sheriff Sheehan emphasized: “This is your very last chance and you need to take it.” Currently detained at HMP Kilmarnock, Wells, aged 38, admitted to multiple offences under section 1 of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 when he appeared from custody at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month.
He was brought back to court for sentencing last Tuesday, where he was placed under a two-year supervision order managed by the social work department.
Additionally, he was ordered to participate in the Caledonian Men’s Programme, a domestic abuse rehabilitation service, and was issued a two-year non-harassment order prohibiting any contact with the woman involved.
A conduct requirement was also imposed, requiring Wells to attend substance misuse and mental health services as directed by his supervising officer.
The court previously outlined the pattern of abusive behaviour Wells inflicted on his partner over a 12-month period from March last year to March this year.
His address was listed only as East Lothian.
During this time, Wells frequently shouted, swore, and made threats toward the woman, attempting to control her movements and where she could go.
He sent her a video in which he threatened self-harm and made alarming statements about killing her family.
On another occasion, he forcefully blocked the doorway of their flat, refusing to let her leave while shouting and swearing.
The offender also often grabbed and shook the victim.
These offences occurred at an address on London Road in Edinburgh between March 26 of last year and March 23 of this year.