An “out of control” plumber from Dundee attacked his girlfriend by punching her in the face, yanking her lip and putting her in a chokehold, before assaulting both her parents.
Cocaine-fuelled Callum Dallas “went mental” and attacked his partner at her family home in the Carse of Gowrie.
Her mother was woken by her screams and ran into the room to see her daughter on the floor with blood on her face.
Dallas appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted three charges of assault at his then-girlfriend’s parents’ home in Longforgan on March 3 this year.
The court heard the 24-year-old has almost no memory of the early morning melee.
Woken by screaming
Fiscal depute Stuart Duncan said Dallas and his now-ex-girlfriend had been in an “on-off relationship” for about a year.
He had been out with her and her parents to a charity fundraiser at a local pub, he said.
“They returned home at about 1am.
“The complainer’s parents retired to bed at about 5am.”
The prosecutor said, about an hour later, Dallas became “angry and upset” during a conversation with his partner.
“He pulled her by the top lip, punched her and put her in a chokehold on the ground.”
The woman began screaming for help, waking her mum in the room next door.
“She went through to her daughter’s room and observed the complainer on the floor with the accused, and blood coming from her lip.”
Dallas loosened his grip and the complainer shouted to call the police.
The victim’s father came through and tried to get Dallas off his daughter but was pushed away, suffering a bruised back when he fell against a plastic box.
The mother then managed to briefly pin Dallas to the bedroom floor but he kicked out and struck her on the leg, before breaking free and fleeing..
When police arrived, the girlfriend told them: “He just went mental and hit me.”
Quit drinking
Dallas’ lawyer said his client has limited memory of the incident but “does not seek to shy away from his behaviour” and “is clearly very remorseful.”
Dallas had been drinking excessively and using cocaine throughout the 15-month relationship but has abstained since the attack, he said.
The solicitor said: “He has shown a change in attitude and is at a low risk of re-offending.”
‘This is not rational’
Sheriff William Wood was told there was no intention of reconciliation.
The sheriff told Dallas: “Once upon a time, you would have been sent to prison.
“You have to appreciate this was an appalling piece of conduct.
“Here you were, under the roof of your girlfriend’s parents and you’re assaulting their daughter and assaulting them as well.
“You were out of control and that is simply not acceptable.
“You are right to take a long hard look at yourself because this is not rational conduct.”
Dallas, of Hebrides Drive, Dundee, was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid as a direct alternative to custody.
He was also told to stay away from his ex-partner and her parents as part of a three year non-harassment order.
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