Domestic abuser jailed after 25-minute attack on partner

A domestic abuser who rained blows on his partner with a Minnie Mouse toy during a 25-minute beating has been jailed for eight months.

George Trueland was unaware that police call handlers were listening to the whole incident.

Sheriff William Wood played part of the recording in court and said: “Listening to that was quite harrowing.

“The account I heard was of a sustained incident.

“You uttered significant abuse towards her, and assaulted her by punching her, pushing her, and hitting her on the head with a soft toy and generally belittling her.

“These are precisely the kind of circumstances the Scottish Government has tried to clamp down on.”

Perth Sheriff Court was told that Trueland attacked his victim in one property before following her home to continue the assault.

Sheriff Wood said he planned to play the full 25-minute phone call in court, but after just a few minutes of the distressing call he stopped it and said: “I’ve heard enough.”

Trueland, 47, of McOwan Avenue, Crieff, admitted assaulting and injuring the woman by repeatedly punching her on the body and striking her with a soft toy in Crieff on November 8.

He also admitted shouting, swearing and uttering racist remarks.

Depute Catriona MacQueen said the woman was on the phone to report his initial attack when Trueland returned to carry out further abuse.

She dropped the phone, but the line remained open and police call handlers were able to hear Trueland carry on abusing her for nearly half an hour.