A man who seriously assaulted his partner then told her it was her fault was jailed by Sheriff Alastair Brown at Dundee Sheriff Court.
Brian James Sturrock, 40, Learmount Lane, Dundee, was told by the sheriff the only person responsible was him and the victim was “never to blame”.
Sturrock admitted that on September 7, at a house on Cardross Place, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner, repeatedly shouted and swore at Karen O’Rourke and another woman.
He further admitted that on September 11 he assaulted Ms O’Rourke, repeatedly stamped on her body, poured cider over her, grabbed her by the throat, pulled her hair, pushed her against a door, repeatedly kicked her on the body and repeatedly punched her on the head, all to her injury.
Solicitor John Boyle said Ms O’Rourke wished to continue her relationship with Sturrock.
Sheriff Brown told Sturrock he was aware of criticism having been made in public of the Crown Prosecution Service policy on domestic abuse, some of it by sheriffs.
“The risk of having that discussion is that some might think sheriffs think domestic abuse doesn’t matter. Nothing could be further from the truth, it matters a great deal.
“You expressed the conviction that she had been unfaithful to you.”
He said Sturrock was entitled to raise that with her but added: “You are not entitled to assault her.
“It was a sustained and serious assault which caused her injury, the view which you expressed was that it was somehow her fault.
“The victim is never to blame for what is done to her. You were the abuser, you are to blame, you are the criminal and you will go to prison for 11 months.”
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.