Abusive ex-corporal punished

An ex-soldier who assaulted his thengirlfriend while her children were at home has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.

Gerrard Delaney, 40, terrified his ex at his Caldercruix home on October 2, after she ended the relationship.

Delaney returned to the property later that day to see the woman, also a former soldier, packing.

He cornered her and grabbed her neck, before following her upstairs and brandishing a metal pole.

Police were contacted because her teenage child overheard the abuse and ran outside to call them.

Last Wednesday the procurator fiscal told Airdrie Sheriff Court: “On the morning of the incident, she and the accused argued about her oldest child.

“They went to work but at 2.30pm the accused returned home to find his partner packing.

“He called her a ‘fat bitch’ and a ‘fat w****’.

“She continued to pack but the accused threw the items around the room before leaving.

“Her son arrived home and began to pack too, shortly before the accused returned for a second time.

“He backed his victim into a corner, grabbed her neck with his hand and said, ‘you don’t know what I’m capable of’.”

The fiscal continued: “She pushed him away and ran upstairs, at which point her 16-year-old child ran out and contacted police.

“The accused followed her upstairs and said, ‘let’s see if you can leave after I do this’, before brandisihing a metal pole at her.

“She managed to get out and contacted police from a neighbour’s home.

“They located the accused later that evening and he gave a full and frank admission of the incident.”

Delaney’s defence solicitor Luke O’Curry said: “My client is a former corporal who served his country well.

“The background is that they were arguing about the behaviour of her son.

“My client felt like he wasn’t able to play a paternal role and didn’t feel his partner had any real intention of leaving.

“He is ashamed of his actions and hopeful the relationship will reconcile.

“It was disgraceful behaviour and he made a full apology to her at the first opportunity.”

Addressing Delaney, who had previously been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, Sheriff Derek O’Carroll said: “Listening to the narrative I was inclined to give you a custodial sentence.

“But after hearing from your solicitor I am satisfied there’s an alternative.

“I want you to seek treatment and counselling if you’re wishing to reconcile.

“You will also be under supervision for 24 months and attend a domestic abuse programme.

“I am also ordering that you carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.”