A couple who subjected a pregnant woman to three days of abuse and attacks – culminating in her climbing out of a window to escape before losing her baby have been jailed.
Chantelle Murray suffered a miscarriage after her love triangle with Roderick Cuthbert and Jennifer McIlravey turned sour.
She told how she had to climb out of a window little bigger than a cat flap to escape the pair.
Chantelle had begun a relationship with Cuthbert and fallen pregnant by him – and was around eight to 10 weeks pregnant at the time of the incidents.
The trio were all living together in the same flat when things went south.
Dundee Sheriff Court was told that McIlravey – who had previously broken up with Cuthbert but has now got back with him – had given her blessing to the relationship, but was unaware Cuthbert was the father of the child.
Fiscal depute Alan Kempton said: “Upon awakening on January 27, the complainer saw blood, which she assumed was to do with her pregnancy. She was advised to get medical attention.
“McIlravey shouted through from the bedroom for a cigarette and Ms Murray said she would get one. McIlravey said, ‘Get out of my face’, jumped out of bed and pushed Ms Murray with both hands.”
Later, Miss Murray experienced further bleeding and asked McIlravey for advice, then told her Cuthbert was the father.
McIlravey “did not respond well” and threatened her with violence. Miss Murray left the flat with Cuthbert and attended at Ninewells Hospital.
Doctors recommended she be admitted but Cuthbert insisted on taking her back to the flat – stealing medical supplies, including scalpels, while he was there.
When they returned home, McIlravey again threatened Ms Murray.
Mr Kempton added: “On January 28, Ms Murray was slapped four or five times by McIlravey shortly after she got out of bed.
“She was also repeatedly punched on the head and body. Thereafter, on January 30, Ms Murray left the locus – she stood on the bath and sink and squeezed out of a window.”
Cuthbert and McIlravey hugged and kissed in the dock as they were sentenced and led to the cells for what a sheriff described as an “appalling” crime.
Cuthbert, 37, of Strathmartine Road, Dundee, pleaded guilty on summary complaint to threatening and abusive behaviour committed between January 26 and 29, and stealing medical items on January 27.
He further admitted damaging an electricity meter and stealing a quantity of electricity between July 14 last year and January 29 this year.
McIlravey, 35, pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour and assaulting Ms Murray between January 26 and 29
Defence solicitor Kym Samson, for McIlravey, said: “She has a limited record and this conviction seems to be out of character for her. She is suitable for a community payback order.”
And solicitor advocate Kris Gilmartin, for Cuthbert, added: “With his record he would consider himself extremely fortunate if he could avoid custody in any way.”
Sheriff Tom Hughes jailed Cuthbert for 15 months and McIlravey for nine months.
He said: “Roderick Cuthbert, you have an appalling record of convictions and no signs you are trying to change your ways. Because of the nature of your convictions prison is inevitable.”
Turning to McIlravey, he added: “I accept you have a limited record but you have pleaded guilty to an appalling offence quite knowingly doing what you did.”
