Domestic attack ended by dog
A knife-wielding thug’s attack on his girlfriend was ended by a hero dog that chased him out of the house.
John Crawford had forced Kimberley Whitelaw’s face into a pillow and brandished scissors at her.
But he fled when a family pet became agitated by the disturbance and started to attack him.
Crawford, 30, a prisoner, was jailed for 23 months at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.
He admitted assaulting Ms Whitelaw, 32, at his aunt’s home in Neilsland Road, Hamilton, on May 20.
Crawford also admitted threatening or abusive behaviour.
Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said an argument broke out and Crawford grabbed Ms Whitelaw’s hair, forcing her face into a pillow.
He told the court: “That caused Ms Whitelaw some breathing difficulties.
“Crawford’s aunt challenged him about his behaviour, but he then punched Ms Whitelaw, causing her to fall.
“He kicked her on the body and grabbed a pair of scissors that he brandished at her.
“Crawford continued to shout and swear then took a Stanley knife, grabbed Ms Whitelaw and held the knife at her throat.
“He shouted that he was going to kill her and told his aunt ‘You’ll find Kim dead in the water behind the Spar’.
“The commotion appears to have caused the dog to become agitated.
“It attacked Crawford, causing him to run from the house.
“The police were contacted and officers found Ms Whitelaw extremely distressed.
“She had a burst lip, but did not require hospital treatment.”
The couple had been seeing each other for only a few weeks at the time of the assault.
Defence agent Sandy Morrison said drink and drugs had been taken and an argument started. He stated: “Ms Whitelaw taunted my client about a previous relationship. That was the catalyst for what happened.”
Sheriff Colin Dunipace told Crawford: “This was a serious domestic matter and you have a bad record.
“A significant custodial sentence has to be imposed.”
Crawford was also handed a nonharassment order, banning him from any contact with the victim for three years.