A man who had a “fixation” for burning his partners with cigarettes is facing jail for a catalogue of domestic assaults.
Last week, 25 year old Dale Broadbent was convicted of trying to gouge out the eyes of 22-year-old Morven Mackenzie in a row over a damaged mobile phone.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that it was her courage in speaking to the police which brought other assaults on her and Broadbent’s previous girlfriend, Michelle Kotze, to court.
Yesterday, Broadbent again appeared before Sheriff Margaret Neilson, who had found him guilty after trial on Friday, March 23.
He admitted assaulting Miss Mackenzie in his flat in Queen Street, Nairn between September 1 last year and January 19 this year by repeatedly pressing a lit cigarette into her body, seizing hold of her and striking her on the head with his head.
He also pleaded guilty to assaulting Miss Kotze in her flat in Leopold Street, Nairn on various occasions between October 1, 2016, and July 31 last year.
Fiscal depute Fiona Murray told the court: “He seems to have a fixation for using cigarettes as part of his abuse, often flicking a cigarette at his victim or inflict a burn on the body.”
She said that if his victim tried to get away, he would restrain her. Miss Murray added that Broadbent would pick Miss Kotze up and throw her to the ground, or bang her head off a wall.
But the prosecutor revealed that although police were made aware of the ongoing abuse towards Miss Kotze, there was insufficient evidence to have him charged.
The court heard that when Miss Kotze went to her landlord covered in bruises and told him what had happened, he informed the police.
Miss Murray went on: “It was only as a result of Miss Mackenzie coming forward, the earlier offence could be prosecuted.”
Broadbent had his bail continued but Sheriff Neilson warned him he shouldn’t read anything into that decision.
Sentence was deferred until April 19 for a background report, when he will be sentenced on all three offences.