Drug-fuelled abuser avoids jail term

A Fife man who launched a drug-fuelled attack on his partner before holding her face in a pool of water has escaped being jailed.

Darren Mccole appeared from custody at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court and was given a two-year supervision order.

The 43-year-old attacked the woman, who cannot be named, at an address in Urquhart Crescent, Dunfermline, on November 24 last year.

Mccole, who committed the offence while out on licence for a previous conviction, repeatedly punched her on the head and body.

He then stuck his fingers in her mouth and dragged her before seizing her by the hair, body and head.

Mccole, who was previously jailed for trafficking class A drugs, then repeatedly spat on the woman’s face and in her mouth.

He also grabbed her by the legs and dragged her across the ground all to her injury.

The court was told that the attack occurred after Mccole had been “ingesting substances” and then reacted to a “particular situation”.

Defence solicitor Mr Morrison also told the court that the victim admitted herself that she could be “a little difficult at times”. He said: “I appreciate that Mr Mccole has a bad record but there is only one previous domestic matter for which he was admonished.”

Mccole was remanded in custody at Perth prison for the latest assault on November 28.

Sheriff William Gilchrist agreed not to refer the release licence breach back to the High Court as it was only a “very small unexpired portion”.

But he added: “The plea in mitigation is a persuasive one along with the fact you have already served the equivalent of a nine-month sentence and is supported by the attitude of your partner.

“This is clearly a serious offence but I will follow the recommendation from the report.

“If you fail to complete the supervision order, you will be brought back to the court.”

Darren Mccole, 43, was handed a twoyear supervision order for the domestic attack.