A COUNTY man struck his partner with a plate and made a series of unwanted phone calls to her during a course of abusive behaviour.

Scott Higgins behaved in a threatening or abusive manner towards the woman over a six-month period last year.

Higgins, of Craighall Drive, Musselburgh, shouted, swore and made derogatory remarks towards his partner, while on one occasion he grabbed her by the arm.

The 40-year-old also threw a plate at the woman, causing it to strike her on the body, and refused to leave her home when she asked him to do so.

On another occasion, Higgins banged on a window and attempted to force open a front door at her property in Prestonpans.

Court papers also state that the offender made unwanted phone calls and left unwanted voicemails.

Higgins pleaded guilty to the offences during an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month and was due to be sentenced last week.

But when the case called, the court was told that the required social work reports had not been prepared and sentence was further deferred to July 29.

Higgins admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards his partner between January 10 and July 10 last year.