An Angus man has expressed remorse for two drunken attacks on his partner after he lost his job.
Jamie Boyle, 27, of Jamieson Street, Arbroath, referred himself to Tayside Council on Alcohol for help following the “completely unacceptable” incidents.
Boyle previously admitted assaulting his partner on September 14 by repeatedly spitting on her and punching her on the head.
He also admitted attempting to punch her and drag her into a hallway on September 28.
Both attacks happened at home after Boyle had been out drinking.
Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan told Forfar Sheriff Court the couple had been living together for two-and-a-half years.
He said Boyle had lost his job about three months before the attacks, and had started to consume alcohol.
On the night of September 14, Boyle had been out drinking with friends.
He returned home around 9pm while his partner was in bed.
Boyle went into the bedroom and started spitting on her before repeatedly punching her on the head.
She suffered an injury to her left eyebrow as a result of the attack.
The woman went to the minor injuries unit afterwards for treatment but didn’t report the matter to the police.
On September 28 Boyle went out drinking again.
Mr Duncan said Boyle’s partner told a neighbour she was worried about how he would react following the previous incident.
When he did return home, Boyle became aggressive and launched himself towards her.
“He attempted to punch her but missed,” said Mr Duncan.
“He then grabbed both her arms and pulled her into the hallway.
“She started screaming for help.
“She was heard by a neighbour who phoned the police.
“She made her way out of the property and down the stairway where she was met by her neighbour.”
Mr Duncan said she waited inside her neighbour’s home until police arrived.
He said Boyle’s partner had fresh bruising on her left arm where she had been grabbed.
Boyle told police he had been drinking and had lashed out.
Defence agent Keith Sim said his client has now stopped drinking.
“He realised this was an issue,” he said.
“Mr Boyle has suffered from health issues, he lost his job, started drinking and things escalated from there.
“He understands on these two occasions that his behaviour was completely unacceptable and he is extremely remorseful.
“The couple are still living together.”
Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown said she was pleased that Boyle had referred himself to Tayside Council on Alcohol.
She imposed a community payback order with supervision for two years.
Boyle must continue the ongoing work in relation to his alcohol and must also attend the Fergus Programme on domestic abuse.
