A brazen domestic abuser went to hospital for treatment after breaking his finger during a brutal attack on his girlfriend.
Anthony Bucknell claimed he sustained the injury in a fall, but police officers became suspicious after seeing his battered and bruised partner.
The 31-year-old admitted assaulting the woman at his home in Brown Street, Shotts, on November 27, 2021, and February 28 this year.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that the first attack happened after the couple had been out for dinner.
On their return, Bucknell began calling his victim names.
Abby Seal, prosecuting, said: “The accused punched her repeatedly on the face as she lay on a bed, telling her ‘You know what’s coming to you’.
“She left and went to a relative’s house. She had swelling and bruising, and was unable to open one eye.
“Initially the woman said she had fallen in the bathroom. She was taken by ambulance to hospital and then gave her mother the correct version of events.”
After the second assault the woman phoned her mother and began to cry, saying she was scared and “sore all over”.
Police found her and Bucknell in the accident and emergency unit at Wishaw General Hospital.
The fiscal said: “The woman had her hood up and was curled into a ball in the corner of a waiting room. She was visibly upset and told the police she had fallen.
“Her injuries included a lump on her forehead and bruising to her neck, jaw and arms. She also complained of pain in her ribs.
“Bucknell had bruising to his hand and knuckles. He told the police he had sustained injuries by falling at home.
“He was treated for a broken finger before being discharged and was then arrested.”
The court heard that the victim was “uncooperative and hostile” towards the police.
Despite this, the prosecutor asked Sheriff Liam Murphy to consider a non-harassment order to protect her from further harm.
Defence agent Elspeth Forrest said both Bucknell and the victim have mental health issues.
Sheriff Murphy deferred sentence until next month for background reports.
Bucknell, who has been in prison since an initial court appearance on March 1, was again remanded in custody.
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