A Montrose man who assaulted his girlfriend when she was eight and a half months pregnant has been jailed at Forfar Sheriff Court.
Scott McCurrach, 35, punched his partner on the face and head and knocked her to the ground.
He then seized the woman by the neck and bit her on the face before striking her repeatedly on her head.
The assault took place at an address on North Street, Montrose, on May 13.
McCurrach also assaulted another woman who had rushed to her friend’s aid by striking her on the face with his elbow.
A not guilty plea on a third charge of behaving in a threatening manner and shouting and swearing during the same incident was accepted.
Depute fiscal Jim Eodonable said McCurrach had fallen asleep at a friend’s house while drunk and his girlfriend had been called because of concerns about his behaviour.
“She attended at the locus and found the accused to be under the influence and asleep,” he said.
“She tried to rouse him. For no apparent reason he responded in the way detailed in the charge.
“Her friend, who had seen what was happening, intervened to try to help and she received the assault detailed for her troubles.
“Officers attended and formed the opinion that the accused was definitely intoxicated.”
Defence agent Nick Markowski said McCurrach, of Strathmore Place, worked offshore as a service engineer on an ad-hoc basis.
He said: “He continues to be in a relationship with the complainer. He would like to apologise to her for his behaviour and thank her for her support.
“He has been through a difficult period and is adamant that he will never repeat his behaviour.
“He had not come to the attention of the courts in his life until his father died earlier this year.
“If he is not drinking, he won’t come to the attention of the authorities, it’s as simple as that. He is the main breadwinner in his family.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray said there was no alternative to a custodial sentence and ordered McCurrach to serve four months in jail, reduced from six months because of his plea.