Domestic abuser told to change his ways or face jail

A violent brute who battered his partner has been slammed by a sheriff for trying to blame his victim for his behaviour.

Domestic abuser Ranjit Singh was previously given a chance to change his ways when he was made the subject of a Community Payback Order.

But Paisley Sheriff Court heard, yesterday that social workers suspected he “faked” compliance, giving the impression that he understood his attitude had to change, but with little or no intention of taking it seriously.

A Sheriff has now given him one final chance to alter his ways and warned that if he doesn’t cooperate properly this time he will end up behind bars.

Singh has also been warned by his long-suffering partner that she will only consider taking him back if he addresses underlying issues, such as his heavy drinking and abusive ways.

The court was told how the 50-year-old had struck Inderjit Kaur during a heated outburst at their home in Paisley Road, Renfrew, on Auugust 29.

Depute fiscal John Penman said that, due to his abusive conduct and concerns over his excessive drinking, his victim did not wish to have any contact until his issues had been dealt with.

To provide her with peace of mind, the Crown got a 12-month Non- Harassment Order, preventing Singh from returning to the property.

The terms of this means he also cannot approach or try to make contact with Ms Kaur.

Singh had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting her by punching her repeatedly on the body and sentence had been deferred for reports to be prepared.

When he returned to court to learn his fate, Sheriff Craig Harris described the content of the social work enquiry report as “quite appalling.”

He hit out: “You have sought to blame your victim here, and have shown little insight into your offending.

“You assaulted your partner and you clearly have problems with alcohol, which the previous Community Payback Order was designed to address.

“The report indicates that it is suspected that you faked compliance with that order and, in these circumstances, I would be well entitled to send you to prison today.

“It is clear that you are a domestic abuser, but I am only just persuaded that I can deal with you in another way.”

Mr Penman said that, having discussed the matter with Ms Kaur, it appeared there might be a “glimmer of hope” that a reconciliation could be a possibility.

But he highlighted that this would only be the case if Singh was making strenuous efforts to accept professional advice.

Making him the subject of a fresh 12- month Community Payback Order requiring him accept counselling, Sheriff Harris added: “Your partner hopes that you will accept the assistance being provided in relation to alcohol consumption and domestic abuse issues.

“If you do not take those opportunities, or don’t comply, you will be brought back to this court and the order can be breached and you will be dealt with in some other way.

“All options, including imprisonment, will remain open.”

Singh, of High Street, Renfrew, was also ordered to complete 135 hours of unpaid work in a six-month period and told that progress would be monitored at a review to take place in three months’ time.

“I will take a very dim view of any fake compliance – that is, pretending to be addressing the issues but not being serious about it,” warned Sheriff Harris.

The Non-Harassment Order prevents him from returning to the property in Paisley Road, Renfrew, or approaching, contacting or attempting to communicate in any way with Inderjit Kaur, and will remain in place for a year