A prominent businessman flew into a rage because his partner refused to wear jewellery he bought her during a six month campaign of violent bullying.
Publican and charity worker Jeffrey Stewart pinned his partner to the bed as he throttled her during abuse which carried on even after she dumped him.
Dundee Sheriff Court was told that Stewart had a previous conviction for domestic abuse and had been subject to similar allegations from three other former lovers.
Fiscal depute Emily Hood told the court: "They started a relationship in May 2014. In October last year Cheryl Richardson and the accused had an argument regarding jewellery.
"He proceeded to call her a 'stuck up cunt' when she said she was not wearing the jewellery. She went to bed to try and sleep and heard the accused rush along the corridor into the bedroom.
"While she was in bed he leaned over and put his hands round her neck and started to squeeze. He realised what he was doing and released his grip."
Ms Richardson said Stewart left the room and subsequently acted as if nothing had happened and he had done nothing wrong.
By Christmas Eve she had decided to end the relationship but at the end of February she agreed to have dinner with him to check on his welfare.
Stewart made unwanted advances on her and she had to push him away and by the following month he was accusing her of cheating and demanding the return of a car from her.
At one stage he tried to grab a watch off her wrist and he opened a letter addressed to her which turned out to be an invite to get her Covid19 vaccination.
The court was told that Stewart, 53, who owns The Anchor pub in Broughty Ferry, had bombarded his former partner with abusive text messages.
Stewart, Dundee Road, Broughty Ferry, admitted engaging in a course of abusive behaviour against Ms Richardson between 1 October 2020 and 31 March this year.
Solicitor Scott Norrie, defending, said: "Mr Stewart is a successful businessman. He is highly regarded in the Broughty Ferry community and is involved in charity work.
"This has been quite traumatic for him. He recognises his difficulties and has taken steps to immediately seek help. The relationship was very much up and down.
"There was financial pressure. He borrowed money to make sure the business stayed afloat during the pandemic. He accepts this relationship has ended."
Sheriff Lorna Drummond deferred sentence for reports and told Stewart that she intended to make him the subject of a non-harassment order.
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