Brutes jailed for attack on woman
Two men have been jailed for a “planned and chilling attack” on a woman in her home.
The terrified victim barricaded herself into a room as her former partner Christopher Boyle, David Mathewson and another person brandished weapons and forced their way into the property.
Mathewson, 27, a prisoner, was jailed for more than three years at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
Boyle, 26, of Lamlash Place, Motherwell, was given an 18-month prison sentence.
They admitted assaulting the woman at her home in Inglefield Gardens, Hamilton, on January 8, 2020.
Armed with a knife and a metal pole, the men smashed a glass door to force entry, making threats before robbing the woman of her car and a mobile phone.
An allegation that the intruders threatened to throw acid on their frightened victim was deleted from the charge.
Mathewson also admitted driving the stolen vehicle dangerously on various roads in Bellshill as he tried to flee from the police.
He further admitted acting in a threatening or abusive manner at Wishaw General Hospital and spitting at and trying to kick a police officer.
Mathewson pleaded guilty to another car theft charge – taking a vehicle from McTaggart Crescent, Motherwell, in May 2019.
Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said Mathewson, who is from Bellshill, had been “devastated” by the death of his mother a f ew years ago.
The solicitor added: “His grandfather also passed away. Everything seem to disintegrate.
“Of course, this can’t explain his appalling behaviour towards this woman. Drugs played a part and he is sorry for what he did.”
Mark Lutton, defending Boyle, acknowledged the attack on his former partner was a “very serious” matter.
Last year Boyle was given a community payback order for threatening a Newarthill shopkeeper with a stick during a failed robbery attempt.
Mr Lutton said: “The CPO is going well. There have been positive changes in his life.”
Boyle claimed that prior to the incident at his ex-partner’s home she had been verbally abusive towards him and family members.
Passing sentence, Sheriff Linda Nicolson said the victim had suffered a “horrendous” ordeal, adding: “This was a planned and chilling attack on a woman who barricaded herself in a room when you went armed to her home.”
The sheriff said Mathewson has a significant record for crimes of violence and housebreaking.
He was jailed for 170 weeks and banned from driving for five years.
Sheriff Nicolson rejected a plea to give Boyle another community order.
She told him: “This was not an impulsive act. I see no alternative to custody.”