A sheriff has deferred sentence on a man who beat his eight-and-a-half months pregnant girlfriend.
Offshore service engineer Scott McCurrach will return to court on August 13 following the preparation of a Restriction of Liberty Order assessment to consider if the 35-year-old is suitable for an electronic tag.
But Sheriff Gregor Murray has warned McCurrach that prison remains at the forefront of his mind following the May attack on his partner at a house in Montrose’s North Street.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the accused, of Strathmore Place, Montrose, had been in a relationship with the woman for two years.
They were living together at the time of the incident, but McCurrach was drinking heavily at that point.
He had been at a friend’s house and she phoned McCurrach’s partner to say he was drunk and refusing to leave.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said his girlfriend went round to the house and found McCurrach lying asleep.
“The accused jumped up from the bed and attacked her by punching her repeatedly.
“He then crouched down behind her head, placed his hand around her throat, forcing her neck backwards, before biting down hard on her nose.”
Paramedics who later examined the victim found lacerations consistent with a bite on her nose and she also suffered bruising.
The woman scrambled free and ran out of the house, but McCurrach also caught the other woman with his elbow as he continued to swing his arms about.
McCurrach was granted a relaxation of bail to witness the birth of his child but defence solicitor Nick Markowski said his client realised that imprisonment would be uppermost in the sheriff’s mind.
“The offending is alcohol related and he has taken steps to address that,” added the solicitor.
The sheriff was also given a letter written by McCurrach’s partner.
Sheriff Murray continued the case until August 13 for further reports and assessments.