A domestic abuser who repeatedly assaulted his partner of 13 years in front of their children has been told he is “right on the cusp” of being sent to prison.
Dzintars Petrovs would regularly lock his partner inside or outside their Gamrie home and in June last year repeatedly assaulted her to the point where she was forced to flee with their children.
On one occasion the terrified woman locked herself inside a spare bedroom for 20 minutes as Petrovs, 39, repeatedly hammered on the door “shouting and screaming”, Banff Sheriff Court was told.
Fiscal depute Nicole Lewis said on one occasion the father-of-three punched the woman on the body and on another he pushed her hard onto a bed and slapped her.
The first fallout happened following a barbecue in June 2022 after which the woman and children left the home for two days.
Punched her on the body
Then, on June 22 last year, while under the influence of alcohol, he started screaming at the woman, forcing her to flee the room and take refuge in a bedroom.
The fiscal added: “She sat up against the door to prevent him from entering. He repeatedly kicked the door while screaming that he wanted in and wanted to talk to her.
“She left the room 20 minutes later and he still appeared angry.
“He followed her, at which point he punched her on the body. She tried to run from the house but the accused stepped in front of the door meaning she couldn’t get out.”
The following day the woman found Petrovs drunk again and when she poured his alcohol down the sink and tried to pack her bags he left her with bruises up her arm after violently stopping her.
The court then heard how a week later Petrovs, who was drunk again, assaulted his partner by pushing her onto a bed and slapping her in the face.
“Throughout this period the complainer often spoke of how he could lock the door to stop her going out to the greenhouse or if she was already outside he would lock the door so she couldn’t get in,” the fiscal added.
Petrovs admitted two assault charges.
‘There is no excuse for his behaviour’
Defence agent Marianne Milligan said the couple are now working to get their relationship back on track and Petrovs is dealing with his depression and drink problem thanks to help from his doctor.
“He takes full responsibility and there is no excuse for his behaviour,” the solicitor added. “He is embarrassed at being in court today and the impact this has had on his family.”
Sheriff David Harvie told Petrovs: “I want you to be in no doubt whatsoever that you are right on the cusp of going to jail. Are you clear?
“This was appalling behaviour made worse by the fact you were behaving this way when the children were in the house.”
He ordered Petrovs, of Easter Cushie, Gamrie, to complete the Caledonian Men’s Project for domestic abusers as well as 100 hours of unpaid work and be under supervision for two years.
That was as a direct alternative to custody and no non-harassment order was issued.
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