A Hamilton man has been jailed for a catalogue of domestic abuse that included kicking his partner in the stomach shortly after she had given birth by Caesarean section.
Andrew Falconer, 32, was sentenced to two years and nine months at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday.
He was also handed non-harassment orders, banning him from any contact with the victim of that assault and another woman for four years.
Falconer admitted abuse towards Danielle Egan and a subsequent partner, Lisa Marie Morgan, at various locations in Hamilton over a decade.
Marie-Clare McMillan, prosecuting, said Falconer and Ms Egan were in a relationship for more than two-and-a-half years.
He assaulted her after they’d gone to a pub in Low Waters Road in July 2009, three weeks after she had given birth.
Ms McMillan told the court: “The accused was highly intoxicated and caused a disturbance. He kicked Ms Egan to the stomach, re-opening her wound from the Caesarean section.
“She went home and her mother attempted to dress the wound. She then went to her GP to have it dressed properly.”
Ms McMillan said that throughout the relationship Falconer “repeatedly threatened his partner with violence”.
He accused her of seeing other men and threatened to kill himself.
The court was also told that Falconer had “an on-off relationship” with Ms Morgan between 2014 and January last year. At one point they had broken up and he warned her he would commit suicide if they did not get back together.
In 2019, when the couple were apart, Falconer was carrying a knife when he asked a man who was with Ms Morgan ‘What are you doing in my girlfriend’s house?’
He then shouted abuse at them.
On another occasion Falconer tried to rip off Ms Morgan’s false eyelashes, saying that he “paid for everything” in the relationship.
He also damaged a door and poured alcohol over Ms Morgan after accusing her of dancing with another man.
Defence agent Jackson Bateman said Falconer’s dad was murdered when he was just seven and he has witnessed other traumatic events.
Referring to a medical report, Mr Bateman stated: “This gives some explanation as to why he behaved in the way he has.
“He has difficulty in relationships. He takes alcohol to cope with the traumatic experiences of his early life.”
Mr Bateman pointed out that the assault by kicking Ms Egan on the stomach happened 12 years ago, when Falconer was only 20.
The lawyer added: “He recognises that his behaviour is unacceptable.”
Sheriff Douglas Brown said he took into account Falconer’s youth when the offending began.
It was, nevertheless, “domestic abuse and assaults occurring over a lengthy period”.
The sentence was backdated to August 5 as he has been in custody since then.
