A man has been fined almost £1,000 after punching and kicking his ex while she screamed for help in a north-east village.
Brian Marr lay in wait for his former partner as she returned from a night out then launched his attack.
An argument broke out as soon as she came back to the address in Rothienorman and that quickly escalated and became physical.
Marr, 35, initially pushed the woman – who he was in the process of separating from – and kicked her as she curled up on the floor trying to protect herself.
When she managed to run outside and shout for help, Marr followed and rained down kicks and punches before a neighbour heard her cries and called the police.
Fiscal depute Lucy Simpson told Aberdeen Sheriff Court Marr had been supposed to look after the couple’s children while his ex-partner went out on April 29.
She said: “During the afternoon, the complainer received a message from the accused saying he was unable to look after the children.
Partner was screaming for help during Rothienorman assault
“She made alternative arrangements and went to her event as planned.
“While out, she received messages and calls from the accused and did not reply.”
The woman returned home around 1.30am and, unexpectedly, found Marr in the kitchen intoxicated.
An argument then broke out between the pair, during which Marr pushed her to the chest.
Ms Simpson said: “The accused then pushed her again, causing her to fall and hit her head off a cabinet in the hallway.
“She landed on the floor and curled up in a ball to protect herself and she was crying.
“While on the floor, the accused kicked the complainer on her back.”
The terrified woman eventually managed to flee outside and ran down the driveway “screaming for help”.
Glass bottle hurled at women
Ms Simpson continued: “The accused caught up with her and she continued to scream for help.
“The accused stood over the complainer, punching and kicking her to the body.”
A neighbour heard the woman’s screams and contacted the police.
The couple did eventually return indoors where they continued to argue until officers arrived.
In a separate incident, on March 31, Marr threw a glass bottle towards the woman and her friend as they walked down the driveway.
Fortunately, the bottle missed, but smashed on the ground nearby, showering them with shards of glass.
Marr, of Insch, pled guilty to assault to injury and to culpable and reckless conduct.
Brian Marr ‘deeply ashamed of himself’
Defence agent Ross Taggart said his client, an offshore field engineer, had been working away for eight weeks at a time, often in the Middle East.
He said: “This took a toll on Mr Marr and his marriage.
“Mr Marr learned that his wife was having a fling with another man and this caused problems.
“He accepts that he didn’t cope with the situation in the correct manner.
“He unfortunately took to alcohol. He was aware that his marriage was disintegrating.
“Regarding these events, Mr Marr is deeply ashamed of himself.”
‘Wholly unacceptable’
Mr Taggart added that Marr was engaging with support to make sure there would be no repeat of the incidents.
Sheriff Philip Mann described the offences as “wholly unacceptable”.
He added: “Today’s society expects people who offend in this manner to be dealt with sternly.”
The sheriff imposed a two-year supervision order, a £940 fine and a six-month non-harassment order.
He also ordered Marr to complete the Caledonian programme.
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