A SERVING soldier who repeatedly ignored a non-harassment order could be facing a jail sentence.

Keiran Crawford, described as an “excellent” soldier, breached the order within hours and continued to do so for weeks afterwards by contacting his ex-partner in Dunfermline.

As a result the 30-year-old, who is based at Leuchars, appeared back in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that, having been put on a non-harassment order on December 22, he breached it the same day and continued to do so up to January 27 by contacting his former partner through social media.

Depute fiscal Zahra Bhatti said at 5pm on December 22 he sent a message saying “Sorry I can’t come back up” because of his court order.

She replied: “You can’t come here anyway and don’t contact me again.”

He later continued to send messages including: “It’s over for me. The humiliation. The work’s seen it. I’m getting kicked out probably.”

On January 1 at 1am he sent another unwanted message saying: “Are you okay?”

His ex-partner replied: “F*** off.”

She eventually contacted the police to say he had been sending the messages.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said: “It was an eight-year marriage and he was unable to handle the breakdown.”

He said his client had been drinking heavily during the time he had been sending the messages.

“He was consuming copious amounts of alcohol on top of medication,” added Mr Morrison.

The solicitor said his client had given 12 years of “excellent” service in the army.

Sheriff Charles Macnair called for a medical report to see if Crawford was fit to do unpaid work.

“If you’re not fit for unpaid work, I’m not sure how you can be fit to soldier on,” said the sheriff.

He warned Crawford if a community-based disposal was not available then he faces being sent to jail.

“In your position you should know what happens to people who don’t do what they’re told,” the sheriff told him.

Sentence was deferred until April 27 for a medical report.