Police officer quits after brutal attack

Stuart Doran left former partner with 17 separate injuries

A Fife police officer resigned from the force this week, just one day before admitting a savage attack on a woman which left her with 17 separate injuries.

Stuart Doran appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court yesterday where he pled guilty to assaulting his former partner after pinning her down on a bed and floor in November 2017.

The 38-year-old admitted punching, biting and strangling her before placing his hand over her nose and mouth.

The court was told how Doran, who was given a commendation during his seven-year service with Police Scotland, had “no recollection” of the incident. Witnesses told how the victim came running into the garage of a property with bloody facial injuries and saying: “He beat me”.

Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist QC called for background reports and deferred sentence until a later date.

A decorated Fife police officer left his former partner with 17 separate injuries – including bite marks on her face and body – following a vicious alcohol-fuelled attack.

Stuart Doran appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court yesterday and admitted assaulting the woman.

The 38-year-old launched the brutal assault on November 28 last year at an address which cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Doran grabbed his victim in the bedroom of the property and straddled her on the bed before seizing her by the neck with force.

The police officer, who was off work sick at the time with an injured shoulder, then bit her on the face and body.

Dorans, of Altyre Avenue in Glenrothes, then placed his hand over the victim’s nose and mouth, leaving her struggling for breath.

After escaping his clutches, she ran into the garage of the property where three party guests were sitting and said: “He beat me.”

The court was told the woman had bloody facial injuries and blood spatter on the top she was wearing.

Depute Fiscal Brent Bisset said her injuries included extensive bruising on her face, chest, arms and legs.

He added: “One picture shows injuries of the neck which are consistent with being seized with force. (Another picture) shows a bite mark to the face.”

Mr Bisset added that Doran had also breached a bail condition, forbidding him from contacting or attempting to contact the woman.

He said: “Her mobile phone was seized as part of inquiries. During an analysis of the messages, it became apparent that the accused and his victim had been in contact with each other via a third party.

“Between December 3 and December 22 2017, 240 calls and messages from the accused were made to the woman.

“298 calls from her to the accused were also made. The accused was remanded in custody for 20 days.”

Defence agent Shelagh McCall QC told the court her client had since resigned from Police Scotland and wanted to deal with the matter without having to go to trial.

She said the charge was described as an assault to injury although clearly it was “at the upper end of the scale for this incident”.

“I am aware the court will want to obtain reports and I have provided a number of character references and details of a commendation received by the accused from his service as a police officer.”

She added that her client had “no recollection” of the incident and that he had been on strong painkillers at the time for a shoulder injury sustained in the line of work.

Ms McCall added: “He has stopped drinking since the incident.”

It is understood that Doran resigned from Police Scotland on Monday.

Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist QC continued Doran’s bail and deferred sentence until October 8.