The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dismay at appeal bid by ‘coward’ Dundee abuser
Jailed personal trainer Michael McCash seeks to reduce prison sentence
A Dundee domestic abuser who was jailed for three years has launched a bid to have his sentence reduced.
Personal trainer Michael McCash was jailed after he admitted inflicting a campaign of violence on four ex-partners over an eight-year period.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has now confirmed McCash has “lodged a note of appeal against sentence”.
McCash ran a fitness business and co-founded a support group for people with addictions and mental health issues.
But behind closed doors “Mikie” was carrying out a campaign of violence against multiple partners.
The 28-year-old, of Benvie Road, pled guilty to 12 attacks on four women between 2008 and 2016.
The victims were punched, spat on, choked, had socks stuffed in their mouth and chairs thrown at them.
McCash, who was abusing drugs and alcohol at the time of the offences, claims to have changed his ways – but the move to have his sentence cut has angered his victims.
One woman told The Daily Record: “I’m really worried he’d target us again if he gets out early.
“He has the 10-year restraint order but I don’t feel it would stop him. He’s unhinged.
“I’m not happy at all. He made a plea deal to get a smaller sentence yet he’s appealing that.
“He’s a coward and doing everything possible to get out of jail-time. I feel like he’s doing this to manipulate the victims and play mind games by dragging it out.”
During McCash’s “sadistic” assaults one woman was rushed to hospital after he bent her arm so far back a “crack” sound was heard.
He also placed a knife at the throat of one woman in 2009 and another in 2012 and threatened to kill a victim in 2013.
He claimed in court that since 2016 he has been a reformed character, overcoming his abuse of drugs and alcohol and working to help others beat their addictions.
His solicitor Kevin Hampton said: “This is a young man who has significantly turned his life around since the commission of these offences.
“In 2016 Mr McCash realised that the way he was conducting himself was not acceptable.
“He was abusing drugs and alcohol. He is now free from those. He’s in a relationship with a young lady. He has family support and the support of his friends.
“He has moved on and is a completely different person to the one who committed these offences. He accepts full responsibility and is genuinely remorseful.”
However the court heard McCash was assessed as being at a “high risk” of reoffending and the sentencing sheriff said he had no option but to imprison him.
Sheriff Thomas Hughes said: “You have pled guilty to an appalling series of criminal offences involving previous partners – people who should have been able to rely on you.”