A serial domestic abuser was back in court yesterday for beating up his ex girlfriend – less than a week after he was released from jail.
Patrick O’Neill appeared from custody at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting Lorna Jane Groves on Saturday at an address in the city’s Papermill Gardens.
The court heard O’Neill had been serving an eight month sentence for another assault on Miss Groves and was released on Thursday last week.
However only days later he slapped her again leaving her with a cut lip.
Fiscal depute Karen Dow said worried neighbours overheard the incident and were concerned for Miss Groves’ wellbeing.
Representing the 39-year-old solicitor Graeme Morrison said the pair were often in and out of court for offences committed against each other.
He said on Saturday night the incident was “slap for slap” and said that Miss Groves had been the first one to strike O’Neill.
Mr Morrison said that O’Neill was adamant the relationship was now over and said that he did not plan on seeing his ex again. However the court heard that the pair were like “two magnets” which keep ending up back together.
He said although it was likely a custodial sentence would be imposed he asked Sheriff Christopher Shead to consider deferring for reports.
He said there was a “deep seeded” problem which needed to be addressed and that he wanted to explore whether it could be done while he was at liberty.
Sheriff Shead called for reports and released O’Neill, of 49 Middlefield Place, on bail and imposed special conditions that he does not contact Miss Groves.
He will return to court next month.