AN ex-soldier threatened to kill himself in a live video call he made to his partner after their break-up.

The man, who lives in Ayr, sent his ex-lover a text message threatening to take his own life before sharing a video call of him lying on his bed.

He repeatedly tried to contact the woman despite a previous court order not to.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to breaking this order and behaving in an alarming manner in that he repeatedly threatened to kill himself.

Depute Fiscal Ed Sheeran said: “He made phonecalls, and sent messages through Facebook Messenger. Text messages said he was going to kill himself.

“The complainer received a shared live video call from the accused.

“She received another of him lying in bed with aligature round his neck saying ‘this is what you’ve caused’.”

Panicked at what her ex-partner was doing, she called police.

Defending, solicitor Mr Gregor Forbes told the court: “This was a reaction to a break-up of a relationship He has had longstanding depression and anxiety issues.

“He presents himself with a very limited record. This was to some degree an act out of character.

“He was in a bad way. He has been to see his doctor in relation to these issues.”

Mr Forbes stressed that his client is aware of the alarm he caused his ex.

Mr Forbes said: “The threats made were threats to himself and not her, although he concedes it caused her distress.”

Sheriff John Montgomery ordered him to do 120 hours of unpaid work to be completed in six months.