No jail term for Nairn man after violently assaulting partner

A man who violently assaulted his partner on a railway platform because he believed she had been unfaithful to him has avoided a jail sentence.

Instead of custody, Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald decided to instruct 42-year-old Barrie McDonald to participate in a two-year domestic abusers' programme and to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work.

She told him: "This was a nasty course of conduct culminating in a violent assault in a public place which caused scarring. And in the background report, you are placing some blame on your victim when it is your appalling and violent behaviour that is responsible."

The sheriff told McDonald, of Camperdown Road, Nairn that she had been considering imposing a jail sentence but warned him if he did not comply with any part of her sentence including social work supervision, he would be imprisoned.

Defence solicitor advocate Mike Chapman told the court: "His jealousy and insecurity in the relationship contributed to this. Alcohol also played a part in his reprehensible behaviour but that is no excuse. He has now curtailed his drinking."

Inverness Sheriff Court previously heard that McDonald had been in a relationship with the woman since 2014.

The court heard of two separate incidents, one of which occurred in Lossiemouth.

The incident in the Moray town took place on August 14, 2021, while they were attending a social gathering.

Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told the court that McDonald was said to have become angry that a work night out the woman was planning was going to involved male company.

He became aggressive and he had to be physically manhandled away from her.

The pair ended up getting a lift from the event to Elgin train station.

Witnesses reported McDonald as calling her names.

Ms Eastwood explained to the court: “She moved away from him and he followed her.

“He seized her by the neck causing her to fall to the ground and strike her face.”

The police were called and McDonald was arrested.

A hospital examination subsequently found the woman had suffered multiple lacerations and bruising to various parts of her body.

She was also left with a scar to her permanent disfigurement.

While McDonald was being taken by police after the train station incident he tried to get out of the vehicle and kicked out at one of the officers.

There was no injury.

McDonald admitted engaging in a course of conduct that was abusive of a former partner between July 27, 2019 and August 14, 2021, as well as trying to assault an officer in execution of their duty.

The court also heard how McDonald had become angry at the woman in July 2019 when she returned home intoxicated at 9.30pm having been out for lunch and drinks with a friend.

On that occasion he pushed the woman, told her he would “ruin her” and threatened to “put her head through a window”.

The following day he called her a disgrace and told her to pack her bags. He later threw a pile of wet washing on her before swearing at her.

“On several occasions the accused believed his partner to be unfaithful and he would text and phone her to find out where she was and with whom,” Ms Eastwood said.