A Fife man who bit the tip off his former girlfriend”s nose was told his actions were like something out of a horror film.
She had nine stitches to close the wound and was left with a small scar.
Solicitor David Storrie told the court his client was on probation before the incident. One of the conditions of it was that he attend an anger management course.
However, staff shortages meant the course did not take place.
Mr Storrie said Boyle handed himself in to the police.
He added, “He had been in a relationship with the complainer for some time and he tried to make a go of it.
“Mr Boyle advises me that he had been suffering from depression since the turn of the year.
“Foolishly on his part during this evening in question he consumed alcohol on top of medication he was taking and that is a factor in explaining why he has reacted in this way.
“He accepts that this incident has caused her problems.
“Mr Boyle advises that he, too, has found it difficult to leave the house on occasion for fear of reprisals.
“He wishes that it never happened and is disgusted by his behaviour. He is truly sorry for what he did, but he can’t turn back the clock.”DeplorableSheriff Warner told Boyle, “You have a truly deplorable record relating to violence against women.
“You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself, although I have to say you don’t look it terribly.
“I hope in the cold light of sobriety you can see just how monstrous this incident was.
“It is the kind of thing that Holywood puts into stomach-wrenching films.
“What do you suppose would have become of a dog if it had behaved in the taxi in the way you did?”
Boyle replied, “It would be put down.”
Sheriff Warner ordered Boyle to pay Miss Keenan £2000 compensation and to carry out 300 hours’ community service.
He also placed him on probation for two years on condition that he attend the domestic abuse group.
Alan Boyle carried out the attack on Dawn Keenan as they headed home from a night out during which they were trying to patch things up.
However, as they were being driven in a taxi an argument developed and Boyle turned round and bit Miss Keenan on the nose.
As the taxi driver watched, Boyle, from Kelty, spat the piece of skin into his hand then dropped it into the footwell.
She was left in agony and bleeding profusely.
At Dunfermline Sheriff Court yesterday, Boyle (38), of Blair Street, admitted assaulting Miss Keenan on Bank Street, Lochgelly, on April 4.
He admitted biting her on the face to her injury and permanent disfigurement.
Depute fiscal Tracy Plant told Sheriff Warner that Boyle and Miss Keenan had been in a relationship for about 19 months, but separated.
At the time of the incident they had made up as part of an ongoing effort to rekindle their relationship.
On the day in question they had a few drinks before going out to the Goth pub in Lochore, where they continued drinking.
At about 10.45pm they were collected by a taxi.
Boyle sat in the front and the woman in the back.ArguingAs the journey went on, they began arguing over where they were going.
Miss Plant said, “As the taxi entered Bank Street the accused turned round and leaned into the back seat.
“He seized hold of the complainer and pulled her towards him and then bit into her nose.
“The taxi driver observed this.
“The complainer’s nose began to bleed and the taxi driver watched as the accused spat something into his hand which he then dropped into the front pass-enger footwell of the car.”
The taxi driver stopped the car and Boyle fled.
“The complainer pointed out to the taxi driver that she had been bitten and asked him to call the police as she was in agony.
“The taxi driver noticed there was a small piece of skin missing from the tip of her nose and there was a great deal of blood.”
The police were called and the piece of skin was recovered from the car.
Miss Keenan was taken to Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline, where doctors stitched her nose.