Deferred sentence for Islay man who kicked woman

Sentence has been deferred on an Islay man who kicked a woman in the stomach, causing her to double over in pain. Scott Kevin McGurn, aged 24, 11 Bayview, Port Ellen, appeared at Campbeltown Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman on August 6 this year. Procurator fiscal depute Eoin McGinty told the court that McGurn, who had been drinking alcohol, was at the woman’s address when an argument broke out. He became verbally aggressive and kicked the woman in her stomach, causing her to double over in pain and cry. When the woman continued to cry, McGurn said: ‘You’re lucky I’ve not booted you in the face yet.’ Police were called and when they arrived, more than an hour later, the woman was still crying and in pain. They found McGurn sleeping with a half empty bottle of vodka. Defence solicitor Stephen MacSporran said that McGurn was ‘horrified’ by his behaviour, which was exacerbated by his alcohol consumption. Mr MacSporran said: ‘This has given him a warning that he can never touch alcohol again because of how it affects him.’ Sheriff Patrick Hughes said: ‘This is one of the most scandalous things I have heard in a long time. ‘This comes a fortnight after you were last in this court - very little seems to be getting through to you.’ He deferred sentence until September 20 for a criminal justice social work report and a psychiatric assessment. He added: ‘You have to stop drinking - if you can’t stop that, you will have to be locked away where you can’t hurt people.’