A Dunfermline man repeatedly abused his wife over the course of more than a year including grabbing her by the neck on one occasion.

Graeme Reynolds also threw a TV remote control at the woman as well as continually making sectarian remarks towards her.

Reynolds, 40, of Duncan Crescent, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that between March 1 last year and April 17 this year he engaged in an abusive course of conduct towards his partner. He repeatedly shouted, swore and made threats of violence towards her.

On one occasion on June 9, 2022, he seized her by the neck and threw her on to stairs.

On another occasion on January 3 this year, he threw a TV remote and a mobile phone at her and used offensive sectarian language towards her.

Depute fiscal Brogan Moffat said the couple had been married for 18 years at the time of the offending.

In May 2022, he acknowledged he was drinking too much and asked his wife to keep his bank card. However, the next month she was wakened up by Reynolds shouting and swearing at her, demanding the card back.

In another incident, he lunged at her and grabbed her by the throat.

They stayed together afterwards but Reynolds continued to be abusive and would repeatedly subject the woman to bigoted abuse calling her a ‘Fenian’.

In January this year there was another incident with Reynolds throwing a TV remote and a phone at her.

He moved out of the house but then returned a few weeks later and the domestic abuse was then reported to the police.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said the couple were now back together.

He went on: “He seems to be genuinely ashamed of his behaviour. He was drinking massively at that time but appreciates that is no excuse. He’s not been drinking since May.”

Sheriff Wylie Robertson imposed a community payback order with 150 hours of unpaid work and two years of supervision. Reynolds will also take part in the Caledonian Programme for domestic offenders.