A Fife woman who subjected her partner to a catalogue of abuse categorised by a sheriff as “extraordinary violence” has been spared further time behind bars.
Jenna Paterson, 20, who has been detained at HMP Polmont in recent weeks, previously admitted assaulting her then partner on various occasions between August 1, 2018, and December 11, 2019, at Tarvit Mill Hostel in Cupar, all to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
Paterson admitted assaulting her victim, calling her derogatory names and striking her with a range of objects, including a vacuum cleaner accessory, a pole, a vase, a piece of wood and a table leg over the 15-month period.
Paterson also pled guilty to assaulting another former partner at an address in Forth Park Drive, Kirkcaldy, on May 26 this year by repeatedly punching her on the body causing her to fall to the ground and repeatedly kicking her in the head.
Sentencing her via video link at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, Sheriff James Williamson stopped short of imposing custody after taking into account Paterson’s age, the degree of contrition she has shown since her offences, and efforts she has made to improve her behaviour.
But he told her: “This was an extraordinary level of violence perpetrated by you in a domestic setting and ordinarily it would attract a custodial sentence.”
Paterson’s solicitor Iain McCafferty conceded the charges against her represented a “course of entirely unacceptable behaviour”, but suggested his client had “not had the best start in life”.
“It’s not an excuse but it’s perhaps an influence on her conduct,” he said.
Mr McCafferty also revealed Paterson had been diagnosed with emotionally vulnerable personality disorder but was taking steps to address her behaviour.
“She’s under no illusion that these are serious matters but she’s young, she’s 20, and she’s a young lady at a crossroads,” he added.
Sheriff Williamson imposed a three-year supervised community payback order which will require Paterson to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.
Paterson was also placed on a restriction of liberty order for three months and will be subject to a non-harassment order forbidding her to approach or contact her victims for two years.
She was told she cannot enter into any relationship without the prior approval of her supervising officer, and ordered to attend courses to address her difficulties with mental health and alcohol.
