Jealous Perth man sent threatening texts to former partner's boyfriend

Oct 20 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A JEALOUS ex-lover sent threatening texts to the new man in his former partner’s life, writes Les Stewart.

Thirty-four-year-old Mark Wojtowicz branded him a paedophile – and threatened to kill him.

Wojtowicz, of Newhouse Place, admitted sending the texts on September 6 after he had gone to his former girlfriend’s house to pick up their children.

Depute fiscal Julie McAra said they had been together for over eight years but now she had a new partner.

He appeared to be under the influence of drink that day and he was told to keep the children “clean” as she was taking them out that night.

The accused reacted angrily to this comment and an argument ensued, during which the accused referred to the new partner as a “paedo”.

The accused then left and later the complainer received a text from his mobile which said: “You ever touch my kids and I’ll kill you.

“Your house is stinking, no wonder the bairns want to stay with their dad.”

Shortly afterwards a second text was sent. It said: “obviously you want to fight. Bring it on any time. England die.”

The complainer took that to be a racial comment and was offended by the reference to being called a paedophile. The matter was reported to the police the following day and the accused admitted sending the texts when questioned.

Solicitor John McLaughlin said that the accused didn’t have access to the car that day and was able to have a “couple of pints.”

When he first started going out the accused’s ex-partner, the new boyfriend had sent the accused a number of texts which he didn’t particularly like.

“He reacted stupidly on this occasion by sending these texts back.”

Sheriff Robert McCreadie, who described the accused’s actions as “stupid and offensive,” fined him £200.