A machete-wielding domestic abuser who carried out a horrific catalogue of attacks on two women over the course of 14 years has been jailed for more than three years.
James Gray had denied the offences which included holding a machete to one woman’s throat and repeatedly smashing another’s head off a bath right up to his trial, forcing his victims to stand in the witness box and tell of the violent attacks they suffered at his hands.
Gray, 39, of Wood Mill Farm Cottage, Auchtermuchty, initially denied a total of 11 charges on indictment.
But after two days of evidence at his trial he pleaded guilty to seven of the charges five of assault, one of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner and another of breaching bail.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard of a shocking list of assaults, including strangling, punching, kicking and butting his victims. The attacks caused severe physical injuries and left the two women with significant mental scars.
As Gray appeared in court for sentencing on Wednesday, it emerged that he had once again attempted to dismiss the women’s ordeals.
His solicitor withdrew from acting after Gray denied the offences once again in reports and in person ahead of sentencing.
Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC told Gray he was guilty of serious offences.
She said: “These offences include one incident where you presented a knife at a woman, while others include causing severe injury, in one case a broken arm. These are very serious offences and they warrant custody.
“You don’t seem to be showing much remorse for any of your actions and that makes these incidents all the more serious.
“It is clear from the victim impact statements that these incidents have had lasting impacts on your victims.”
Sheriff Drummond jailed Gray for a total of three years and three months.