A young chef who attacked his girlfriend when she was pregnant has been praised by a sheriff for getting his life back on track.
Struan Auld, now of 8 Trafalgar Avenue, Wallasey, Merseyside, was sentenced to a community payback order after he admitted three charges of assaulting Abigail Chambers during their three-year relationship.
The 22-year-old bit her, struck her on the head and body, pulled her hair and kneed her in the abdomen when she was expecting their daughter.
On one occasion in May 2014 she was detained against her will in her bedroom by a naked Auld and police had to force their way in to rescue her.
Neighbours dialled 999 after they saw her standing at her window screaming for help.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson ordered Auld to carry out 245 hours of unpaid community work and take part in domestic violence and alcohol treatment programmes.
She also instructed him to return to Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday so she could be updated on his progress.
His agent, solicitor John MacColl, told the court: “It is perhaps one of the best reports I have seen. The penny seems to have dropped and it is very encouraging. He is engaging with everything.”
The sheriff continued the order and told Auld: “You seem to be back on track.”