Woman grabbed by throat and knocked out by former partner

A woman was choked and knocked unconscious during violent attacks by her former partner in Fife.

Craig Mackay, who subjected the woman to a campaign of abuse and violence, was jailed for three years at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

Depute fiscal Cheryl Clark said Mackay had knocked out his partner during a row after she had been out with a female friend.

Later, during another row, his partner punched him and Mackay responded by grabbing her by the throat and choking her.

Then, over a period of months, he bombarded the woman with threatening messages and up to 50 phone calls a day.

The messages included: “I’ll f ****** murder you”, “You’re going to get it” and “I’m going to have you wiped off this earth”.

He also threatened: “I’ll jump all over your skull”, “I’ll come to your... salon and dance all over your head” and “See that pretty little face of yours, I’ll get it slashed to bits”.

Mackay, 31, of Wellesley Road, Methil, admitted on various occasions between August 20 2016 and April 8 last year at Springbank Road, Kennoway, Mackay assaulted his former partner by striking her on the head with his hands whereby she lost consciousness, seized her throat and compressed it, restricting her breathing.

On various occasions between January 29 and June 16 last year also at Springbank Road, he engaged in a course of conduct which caused her fear or alarm by repeatedly contacting her and attempting to contact her.

He repeatedly left abusive voicemail messages, posted comments of a derogatory nature about her on social media, repeatedly shouted and swore at her and threatened her with violence.

He also admitted breaching a bail condition not to contact her by phoning her on September 28.

Sheriff Craig McSherry said: “It appears to me that this is one of the most serious cases I’ve seen of continuing harassment including threats to smash her head.”

He jailed Mackay for three years.