A yob who admitted battering his ex-partner in a vile attack at her home has been spared jail.
Mark Berry, 55, assaulted Maureen Paton at her property in Elm Avenue, Renfrew, where he grabbed her, threw her against a wardrobe, and pushed her to the floor, where he struck her against the floor, to her injury.
Berry of Lounsdale Road, Paisley, appeared for sentencing yesterday after pleading guilty to a charge of assaulting his ex which took place on December 8, 2019.
He also admitted a second charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner by shouting and swearing at his ex.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard sentencing had been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic but background reports had been prepared in preparation and were ready for handing him his punishment.
Defence agent Tony Callahan said his client had admitted responsibility for the attack and that the incident involved a background where his former partner and he had experienced “various difficulties.”
He said: “He acknowledges it is a serious matter although he has done everything in his power to make sure there will be no repeat of the behaviour.
“He realises that punitive action must be taken after admitting responsibility for the incident.
“However, he is a first offender and there has been no further incidents.”
The lawyer urged the court to consider handing Berry a community-based disposal such as unpaid work or supervision, given the passage of time, his engagement with social work and his lack of previous
offending.
He added: “Given there were no previous or subsequent incidents, and that he is willing to comply with the court’s instruction, I would ask unpaid work is considered.”
Sheriff David Pender voiced concern over the “violence involved” in the incident, but said he was prepared to spare him a sentence of imprisonment.
He said: “The court has to mark its disapproval for an offence which involved violence against your former partner.
“I will impose 100 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months.”
He admonished Berry for the second charge of shouting and swearing at Ms Paton.
