Former patient attacked nurse he began relationship with

A violent man has been sentenced for attacks on his former partner – a mental health nurse he met while a patient at Stratheden Hospital.

Jamie Corstorphine repeatedly assaulted Michelle Walker, dragging her out of bed by the hair and brandishing a knife and baseball bat at her.

The couple met in 2008 and began an on-off relationship, with Corstorphine sometimes staying at her home.

They married in 2012, despite his violent attacks in 2009 and 2010 and had two children.

However, they split up last year and Ms Walker reported the offences to police.

At Dunfermline Sheriff Court, Corstorphine, now of Henderson Street, Edinburgh, was placed on probation for three years and ordered to perform 270 hours of unpaid work.

He admitted four charges of assault, which took place at Balbirnie Avenue, Markinch, between May and August 2009 and Tummel Road, Glenrothes, in 2010.

One on occasion he burst into Ms Walker’s home with a baseball bat, believing she had another man there and on other he grabbed her by the hair and neck, pushed her to the ground and slapped her face, injuring her.

Defence solicitor David Bell said the relationship between nurse and patient was “not something that is allowed”.

He said his client thought Ms Walker had to go to a tribunal and “was supposed to discontinue the relationship but that didn’t happen”.

Sheriff Charles Macnair warned Corstorphine: “There will be no second chance. If you commit any further offences you can expect a significant jail sentence.”