Court / Mossbank man gets unpaid work for violent attack on partner
Content warning: This story contains details of domestic abuse. If you have been affected by this issue, help is available.
A MAN from Mossbank who launched into a sustained and violent attack on his partner in May last year has avoided being sent to prison.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that Stephen Downton’s partner was not seeking a non-harassment order against him.
The 47-year-old, from Maidenfield, had pleaded guilty to a charge of assault to injury at a hearing last month, when the court heard details of the attack that took place at the woman’s home on 17 and 18 May 2024.
Police had been told the woman thought Downton “was going to kill her” during the prolong outburst, which lasted several hours.
Downton admitted strangling, kicking out at and repeatedly hitting the woman, and he also twisted the woman’s fingers “painfully” when she tried to cover her face to protect herself from his attacks.
She sustained “significant bruising” to both of her eyes as a result, and was left with a mouth full of blood after he kicked out and struck her on the chin.
Defence solicitor Liam Mcallister described the incident as “an appalling set of circumstances brought on by his [Downton’s] alcohol consumption” at court on Wednesday.
However the solicitor said Downton had not touched any alcohol since the incident.
Mcallister said his client was “deeply sad” about the attack, and hoped he could avoid going to jail.
He confirmed that the complainer wanted contact between the two of them, and their children, to resume.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said he was concerned by the troubling nature of the offence, but said Downton had exhibited shame and remorse and a “degree of level of insight”.
Imposing a community payback order, the sheriff placed Downton under supervision for two years and six months and ordered him to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.
The payment order is a direct alternative to a custodial sentence and will be reviewed in three months time.
Woman thought partner ‘was going to kill’ her during prolonged attack
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