A labourer who drunkenly assaulted his girlfriend outside a pub had to be pulled free of the terrified woman by concerned onlookers.
Shaun Grant attacked his then-girlfriend in Forres town centre and left her needing hospital treatment.
The 26-year-old repeatedly punched the woman outside the Red Lion Bar after “suddenly becoming angry” on December 12 last year, Elgin Sheriff Court was told.
Fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh said despite his girlfriend’s best efforts to calm him down Grant attacked her.
Rained blows down on head and body
“She felt a sharp thudding pain in her head,” the fiscal said. “She fell to the ground and he punched her several times once when was on the ground to her head and body to her injury.
“The pair were separated by passersby.”
Grant’s victim was taken to a nearby shop for refuge before going to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin for treatment to minor injuries, including a swollen left side of her face and cuts inside her mouth.
Defence agent Ian Maltman said the pair’s relationship was now over and that his client has “no memory of the events”.
“This, and the majority of his previous offending, has taken place when he has been under the influence of alcohol … and heavily so,” he said.
“He has no previous domestic matters.
“He has no memory of events and is relying on recounts of others.
“He is thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour. He cannot believe he did this to his partner.”
The court heard Grant referred to himself as not being a violent person when he spoke to social workers.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood interjected: “It’s usually people who don’t hit people who are not violent. People who hit people usually are.”
Grant also told social workers he “doesn’t like being supervised”.
Referencing Grant’s late arrival at court, Sheriff Fleetwood said a custodial sentence was at the forefront of his mind, adding: “He clearly doesn’t care.”
Grant, of Harbour Street, Nairn, admitted a charge of domestically-aggravated assault to injury.
Sheriff Fleetwood handed Grant a one-year supervision order, 100 hours of unpaid work and 12-month non-harassment order.
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