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A man who texted his ex-partner threatening to commit suicide by throwing himself under a lorry was told it was a form of “psychological abuse” at Dundee Sheriff Court.

John McGee, 38, of Fintry Road, Dundee, admitted sending a number of texts, including several claiming he intended to kill himself, from 2 to 8am on August 1.

The court heard he also attended his ex-girlfriend’s home but had not been allowed in.

Defence solicitor John Boyle said McGee was feeling low at the time of the offence, however Sheriff Alastair Brown said the texts displayed “all the hallmarks of manipulative behaviour amounting to a form of abuse”.

Sheriff Brown also pointed to McGee’s previous offences of domestic assault and said this offence was a “highly manipulative form of psychological abuse”.

He told McGee: “You will gather that I am not impressed with your behaviour. I am certainly not interested in you feeling sorry for yourself as an excuse for your behaviour.

“You are very close to going to prison for several months.”

Sentencing was deferred until October 13 for reports.