A Dysart man who was found guilty of shocking domestic abuse has been told he was lucky to avoid a jail term.
Gordon Haig, 54, of Terrace Street, was convicted of assaulting a woman on an occasion between May 1 and May 31 2016, at an address in Wellesley Road, Buckhaven, and also shouting, swearing and acting in an aggressive manner between those dates at the same address.
Haig denied grabbing hold of his victim by the body, pushing her causing her to fall to the ground, kneeling on her arms and pinning her to the ground, spitting on her face, placing his hands around her throat and then compressing it, thereby restricting her breathing.
However, he was found guilty following a trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court and appeared for sentencing before Sheriff Pino di Emidio.
Haig’s solicitor stressed his client continued to maintain his innocence, but Sheriff di Emidio suggested Haig had told a “pack of lies” during the trial and was “extremely fortunate” the assault did not have more serious consequences.
Had the injuries been more serious, Sheriff di Emidio said Haig could have been facing attempted murder charges.
“I’m satisfied there is an alternative to custody but it is something that will require to be rigorous and lengthy,” he said.
Haig was placed on a community payback order with two years’ supervision and he will have to engage with the Caledonian System, a course addressing domestic abuse.
He will also have to inform his supervising officer if he enters into a new relationship, and an 18-month non-harassment order to stop him from contacting his victim was also imposed.
