A DOMESTIC violence offender who breached a curfew has been ordered to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work — and given a YEAR to complete it.

Shaun McGartland — who throttled his asthma-sufferer girlfriend's throat — failed to answer his door when police went to check he was at his Sir Michael Street home last weekend.

McGartland, 38, is currently on bail on fresh allegations, granted to him on June 20 with a stipulation that he must remain within his flat between 7pm and 7am each day.

Prosecutor Pamela Brady told Greenock Sheriff Court: "Police attended at 11.30pm on July 24, officers knocked on the door repeatedly and called out that they were police.

"There was no response from the accused and the police returned at 12.05am on July 25 and again there was no answer from him at the door.

"He was found at home the following day and arrested."

McGartland's partner told a trial last December how she thought he was going to murder her with his bare hands.

She said she was at the point of passing out he throttled her and punched her head multiple times.

The woman told the court: "I was afraid for my life.

"He was squeezing my neck — I thought I was going to die."

McGartland pleaded guilty through defence lawyer Gerry Keenan to breaching his bail.

Mr Keenan said: "The Crown say he didn't answer the door and to that extent he accepts his guilt."

Sheriff Michael Higgins imposed the year-long 40-hour community payback order on McGartland as a direct alternative to prison.

The sheriff told him: "You have a record of offending whilst on bail

"I accept what has been stated and that this was perhaps at the lower end of the scale for breaches of bail conditions."

McGartland is due back in court on the matter for which he is on bail on August 18, ahead of a trial scheduled for September 14.