An Inverness man who subjected two women to “lengthy and sustained domestic abuse” was described as a “thoroughly nasty serial abuser of women” by a Sheriff yesterday.
Michael Macdonald, described as an Inverness prisoner, appeared for sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court and was jailed for 30 months, with social work supervision for nine months on his release.
Despite one of his victims wishing to remain in a relationship with the 26-year-old, Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood suggested to social workers that he be banned from contacting her for the supervision period.
Kayleigh Macleod rushed out of court in tears on hearing the Sheriff’s comment.
Defence solicitor Laura-Jane Macnaughton told the Sheriff: “He knows his behaviour was atrocious. He intends continuing the relationship on his release and Miss Macleod also wants it to continue. He wants to change so he is not here again.”
But the Sheriff retorted: “Her views are pretty far down the priority list when it comes to me preventing crime and protecting innocent members of the public.”
Last month, Macdonald appeared from custody and admitted charges of breach of the peace, stalking, resisting arrest and breaking bail conditions by contacting Miss Macleod.
At the earlier hearing, fiscal depute Michelle Molley told the court that Macdonald’s first victim was Alison Jappy, who he pushed and kicked.
Ms Molley said Macdonald and Miss Macleod met in December 2015.
Between May 1 last year and January 7, Ms Molley described how Macdonald “on repeated occasions, shouted at her and called her abusive names.
“On November 4, 2016, an argument ensued between them, he threw her to the ground, struck her on the bridge of the nose and threw her onto a hoover, causing severe bruising.”
Ms Molley then described how Macdonald and Miss Macleod were at the Drumossie Hotel for her graduation as a nurse, and he dragged her out of the hall by the back of her head.
As Macdonald left court in handcuffs, he shouted at the Sheriff: “I am going to appeal this.”