Abuser jailed for four months after seizing girlfriend by neck

A Montrose man who threw his girlfriend to the floor before putting his hands around her neck has been jailed for four months.

Ian Brand, 28, of Charleton Place, appeared from custody before Sheriff Gregor Murray at Forfar.

He admitted assaulting the woman at a property in Hillview, Brechin, on February 24 by pushing her against a wall, pinning her to the floor and seizing her by the neck.

Depute fiscal Matthew Kerr told the court the accused entered the complainer’s bedroom intoxicated around 9.30pm and became angry.

She tried to leave the bedroom before the attack took place.

Brand then got off the woman, grabbed his jacket and ran out the door.

Defence solicitor Billy Rennie said the victim had indicated her breathing was not restricted in any way by Brand.

He said: “They had been separated, tried to get back together in January and have now agreed it is better for them to live separately like sensible adults.

“There are four domestics on his record, two for which he was admonished and one for which he was imprisoned.

“He has tried to turn his life around and largely, for three years, has been doing so.”

Referring to the accused’s record for domestic offences, Sheriff Murray told Brand: “This just shows you haven’t learned your lesson.”

Also at Forfar Sheriff Court: Peter Fyfe, 24, of Newton Crescent, Arbroath, had his sentence deferred for six months.

He admitted breaching the peace at the home of his partner in Arbroath on February 24.