Cop cleared of attack on girlfriend in his car
Court hears she lashed out at him after boozy night
A police officer wept after being cleared of attacking his fiancée.
Paisley man Steven Armstrong, 29, had been accused of lashing out at Caleigh Hambly, 30, as he drove home from a nightclub.
But she admitted attacking him after downing a bottle of wine, seven cocktails, three gin and tonics and a bottle of alcopop.
The policeman sobbed as he was told to leave the dock following a trial at Paisley Sheriff Court.
Mr Armstrong revealed he had caught her in the face while trying to defend himself on the drive home from a GBX club night.
He said: “I could see her clenching her fists out the corner of my eye. Then a rain of about two or three punches to my face and head came. She was leaning over to my side of the car.
“I was trying to get her away from me and prevent her attacking me.
“We’re going to Mexico next week for two weeks. We’re getting married next year – we have plans.
“At no point and nor would I ever, ever, assault my future wife.
“This has been the most traumatic event of my life – my job is on the line.”
Mr Armstrong picked up Ms Hambly from The Shed venue in Shawlands, Glasgow, at 3am.
She had been knocking back venom mixers – made with double vodka shots and bourbon.
He was driving her back to Paisley when she pounced.
She left him with a burst lip after repeatedly hitting him in the face on September 24.
But she dialled 999 and told police and then her dad that her partner attacked her as they headed for their flat in Friarshall Gate in Paisley.
Ms Hambly gave evidence during the hearing.
She told the court she had been left with a black eye after scrapping with another clubber.
The witness claimed she had been left with a mark on her cheek when her partner “accidentally” struck her with his elbow while trying to restrain her.
Ms Hambly claimed she could not remember what happened that night.
She said: “He was trying to stop me hitting him because he was trying to drive the car.
“I think I’ve just misread the situation because I was so drunk and I’m not used to drinking that level of alcohol.
“I now see it could have caused an accident.”
Mr Armstrong was detained and charged over the claims. He told how he had been assaulted by her because he was “too nice”.
Sheriff Tom McCartney slammed the woman over her conduct – before clearing Mr Amrstrong.
He said: “I regret to have to say I assess Caleih Hambly as a wholly unsatisfactory witness.
“It is hard to see that she has not either made a false allegation, or she is deliberately not telling the truth.
“I do not accept anything she said as either credible or reliable.”
Armstrong wept as he left the court room while holding hands with Ms Hambly.