Eight months for striking partner

A Perthshire man has been sentenced to serve eight months in prison after he admitted shouting and swearing at his girlfriend then repeatedly striking her.

John Sword (40), of Cairns Court, Crieff, had previously admitted assaulting Gemma Blackley at her flat in South Bridgend on April 12 by repeatedly punching her head and was sentenced for the offence this week after being remanded in custody.

Perth Sheriff Court was told on Wednesday that Sword had been in a relationship with Ms Blackley for about a year when police received an anonymous phone call alerting them to an argument taking place at her address.

Sheriff Gillian Wade heard when officers arrived at Ms Blackley’s flat they saw signs of a “disturbance” inside including broken household items then entered the property and found the couple arguing within.

It was said the two constables could see Ms Blackley was bleeding from a fresh cut to her lip and she seemed to be “extremely upset” when she was questioned about what had happened.

Sheriff Ward heard Ms Blackley went on to accuse Sword of punching her head and body and when officers sought to detain him he then became abusive towards them calling them names and telling them to “get the f*** away” from him.

He later admitted to striking Ms Blackley as well as shouting and swearing at her. Representing Sword at court on Wednesday, solicitor Billy Somerville said: “When taking alcohol clearly he loses his ability to behave sensibly.”

Sentencing Sword to eight months in prison Sheriff Wade simply observed: “You have committed yet another assault on a partner”.

His sentence was backdated to April 13 when he was taken into custody following his arrest.