A domestic abuse thug bombarded his ex with threats using a mobile phone given to him by prison bosses, a court heard
Brian Smyth called the frightened woman 126 times in a single day and even made multiple calls to her daughter.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard the 33-year-old from Lanarkshire was given the phone as part of a Scotland wide move to help inmates keep in touch with family after covid put restrictions on visiting, the Daily Record reports.
Every prisoner in the country was given a device with assurances from the Scottish Prison Service that safeguards were in place to ensure it was not abused.
However, the court heard Kelly McCusker and Caitlin Lawley received calls daily from his cell at Addiewell prison, despite her asking to have her number removed.
Smyth, of Stonehouse, Lanarkshire, was put under supervision for two years and ordered to attend a domestic abuse programme.
He was also electronically tagged for three months and given a two-year non-harassment order, banning him from any contact with his ex-partner.
The SPS was contacted for comment. HMP Addiewell suggested it was an illegally-held phone.
