Caged for partner attacks

A boxer who carried out an 11-year reign of violence against three women – then girlfriends of the thug – has been jailed for two years.

Controlling Brendan Smith, 33, of Chapelhall, slapped and punched the terrified women, who were all forced to give evidence against him during a five-day trial at Airdrie Sheriff Court in June, during violent rages.

Smith was found guilty of dragging his former fiancée down the stairs between 2010 and 2014.

On another occasion he seized her by the throat and in a separate incident behaved in a threatening or abusive manner towards her, shouting and punching walls, as well as hitting himself in the face. He was also convicted of repeatedly pushing and slapping her on the head.

Smith, a childhood friend of Coatbridge boxer Ricky Burns, was also found guilty of assaulting and repeatedly contacting another former girlfriend via phone and by text message between 2003 and 2009.

The court heard that on one occasion Smith seized hold of her, struggled with her and punched her after a night out in Glasgow in 2003.

The second victim told the court she always had“grab marks”on her arms during their relationship.

He was also convicted of phoning another ex-girlfriend and threatening her and her mother between January and February 2013.

Smith had denied all of the charges and during the trial Alan Haggart, prosecuting, told the court that Smith claimed there had been a conspiracy against him.

Sheriff Frank Pieri told Smith at the time:“You have been convicted of extremely serious matters.”

When the shamed boxer made his way back into the dock for sentencing last Friday, he turned up with a bag, expecting to be jailed.

And indeed, this was the fate that awaited him as he was caged for two years for his heinous actions.

You have been convicted of very serious matters Sheriff Frank Pieri

Caged Boxer Smith was sentenced to two years in prison