The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Woman, 34, accused of scarring ex-partners
A 34-year-old Highland woman attacked two former partners with mobile phones, a broken glass and a knife and left them scarred for life, a court was told.
The allegations have been made against Joanne Coombs, of Ardcroy Road, Croy.
Ian Scorgie, a 40-yearold forester and 43-year-old Carl Wheatley, both gave evidence on the first day of the trial at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday.
Both men said that Coombs, who is a stonemason by trade, repeatedly abused and injured them at various addresses in Inverness, Croy, Cawdor and Aberdeen between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014.
Coombs denies a total of 14 charges, which include assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement, grabbing both men’s genitals in fits of rage, and knocking one of them unconscious with a phone. In some cases, her alleged victims required hospital treatment.
Mr Scorgie told the jury that he was in a relationship with Coombs for around three years and was assaulted frequently during that time.
He said: “She is a very insecure person but anything could start an argument. She is actually a very nice girl but there is a flip side to her.”
Scorgie said he had been jailed on various occasions during their relationship, but denied he had ever assaulted her.
“Only once did I defend myself and hit back.” Mr Scorgie said.
He admitted being jailed for stalking Coombs.
He added: “I ended up on anti-depressants, lost my job and my head was a mess for those two and a half to three years. I was blind and stupid and listened to her apologies.”
Mr Scorgie said he was scarred on the head when she attacked him with a knife and also when he was struck with a mobile phone.
Mr Wheatley, who has not completed his evidence, said he was scarred when she hit him on the head with a mobile phone and also after being stabbed.
He claimed she broke a wine glass over her own head in a jealous rage, before injuring him with the stem.
He also spoke about being punched and kicked by her when she was ”freaking out and going crazy”.
The trial continues.