Man punched partner after she refused to accept apology
A man who hit his partner after she refused to accept flowers as an apology for a previous assault has been ordered to attend domestic abuse classes.
Darren Strachan, 25, of Glasgow Road, Hamilton, avoided a prison sentence when he appeared at the town’s sheriff court on Friday.
He admitted assaulting Jodie Murray at her home in Duke Street, Newmains, on August 13.
Strachan also admitted threatening or abusive behaviour that included breaking household items and kicking
Ms Murray’s car. Rebecca Clark, prosecuting, said the couple had been together for a year, but an argument started after Ms Murray asked Strachan to leave.
Ms Clark told the court:“he refused to leave despite numerous requests then punched Ms Murray on the face.
“She locked herself in the bathroom to take refuge and he banged and kicked on the door to such an extent that it cracked.
“Strachan left the house but returned with a bunch of flowers, apologising.
“Ms Murray rejected that, saying that the relationship was over, and he began shouting and swearing, throwing the flowers to the floor.”
The court heard she phoned her mother for help and while she was doing this Strachan ripped a wooden drawer from a cabinet and threw it, striking Ms Murray on the chest.
Ms Clark added:“the accused started to apologise, saying that he loved Ms Murray, before going into the kitchen and smashing a clock.
“He was ushered outside and neighbours heard him shouting. He was seen to kick Ms Murray’s car.”
The victim suffered bruising around her eye and a cut to her chest.
Defence agent Andy Iles admitted it was“an appalling sequence of events”.
But he added:“both parties contributed and my client sustained scratches and bruising.
“There has been no recent contact and he now accepts that the relationship is at an end.”
Sheriff Allan Mckay had said that, even though Strachan has no previous convictions, a jail sentence was“at the front of my mind”.
However, after studying a criminal justice social work report, the sheriff placed him under supervision for two years as an alternative to custody.
Strachan was also ordered to attend the Caledonian domestic abuse programme.