A MAN sent terrifying voicemails to his girlfriend's phone including threatening to "smash her head in".

Drunken Stephen Docherty left 87 messages that were abusive and insulting in the space of a week.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court, procurator fiscal Laura Martin said he sent the voicemails between June 24 and July 1 this year.

He was continually heard saying things such as "you're a fat boot", "cow", and "a fat b****rd".

The 29-year-old also stated he would smash the woman's head in and "smash anyone".

On June 28, he left several voicemails which said "I'll batter you, your dog and your weans dad".

He also told the victim that he and his friend were en route to her home in Clydebank to smash up her house. 

Two days later, Docherty told the woman he was going to her home to pick up his bank card, but she asked him to not attend as she was in fear due to the previous voicemails she had received.

However, he still went to her home and left her more voicemails the following day, which resulted in the police being contacted.

When officers traced him at his home on Nitshill Road, in Glasgow, he was cautioned, to which he responded "she's getting done in and so is her man".

Docherty appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court this week from custody, having previously pleaded guilty to engaging in a course of behaviour that was abusive of his partner by repeatedly contacting her, sending her threatening voicemails and demanding that she contact him.

He also admitted to going to her home uninvited and uttering threats of violence to police officers.

His defence agent said: "The male that was referred to was the complainer's former partner and that is what caused jealousy and conflict. 

"Mr Docherty has expressed shame and embarrassment about some of the things involved with the complainer. There is a very long outstanding alcohol problem.

"He tells me, since he has been on remand, he received an email from the complainer describing how all of this has made her feel. I think that has given him some proper insight into how this type of behaviour can affect someone you are in a relationship with.

"There is no option available to the court apart from a custodial sentence. He tells me he hopes the relationship can continue."

Sheriff Clair McLachlan sentenced Docherty to six months in prison, backdated to July 3.

She told him: "You are now reflecting on the impact that this behaviour will have. There is no alternative to a custodial sentence. I hope there will not be a repeat of that."