Police officer sobs as he is accused of punching girlfriend

Assault alleged to have taken place during car journey

A cop sobbed in the dock over claims he battered his girlfriend.

Steven Armstrong, 28, is charged with punching Caleih Hambly in the face during a car journey to their flat.

He was arrested after she dialled 999.

Armstrong denied assault during a hearing at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Prosecutor Claire Rowan asked for an order banning the policeman from contacting the woman during proceedings. She said:“Bail is not opposed. “However, I would ask for the additional conditions that the accused does not enter Friarshall Gate, Paisley, and, secondly, not to approach or contact Caleih Hambly.

“The information I have is that the complainer, Caleih Hamby is not supportive of these bail conditions.

“However, they have been sought in the public interest in relation to this case.

“The complainer made two phone calls to the emergency service 999.

“The alleged incident involved domestic violence to the point of an injury. The complainer and the accused have a holiday booked for November.”

Armstrong is accused of lashing out while the pair were heading to their home in Friarshall Gate from Newton Mearns.

He is accused of pouncing in a motor on Monday.

Ms Hambly sat in the public gallery, but did not interact with him before the case called.

She held his hand and wiped tears from his eyes after he was allowed to leave the dock.

Defence lawyer Pamela Rodgers insisted her client is innocent.

She said: “He pleads not guilty.

“Both are equally distressed about the idea of bail conditions being imposed so I’d ask for standard bail conditions to be imposed.”

The court heard Armstrong had moved out of the address and to his parents in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, while the case is ongoing.

Miss Hambly submitted an email for the court pleading for contact to be allowed.

Sheriff David Pender told him he would not impose a ban keeping him from the home.

He said: “In relation to bail, I’m going to impose standard conditions in this case.

“I’m not convinced it’s in the public interest to impose special conditions.”

Police Scotland employees were in court to monitor the case.

Armstrong is expected to face trial in November.