Sheriff gives man who assaulted his pregnant wife time to resolve child access issues
A Sheriff has given a man who assaulted his heavily pregnant partner a chance to prove he can behave himself and to see if the issue of his contact with his child can be resolved.
Neil Murray was convicted after trial last month of domestic abuse dating back to 2013 against Nicola Fraser before and after the birth of their child.
The 29 year-old plant operator claimed at his trial that the allegations against him were made up to prevent him from seeing his child.
But Sheriff Sutherland convicted him of assaulting her between March 1 and April 1, 2013, at her parents home Balgate Drive, Kiltarlity when she was six months pregnant by pinning her to a bed and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing at her.
He was also convicted of assaulting Ms Fraser on October 18, 2013, at The Glebe, Kiltarlity by seizing hold of her shoulders and pinning her on a couch and again behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by kicking a toy across a room, throwing her telephone across the room and pulling a telephone land line cable from the wall.
During the trial Murray told Sheriff David Sutherland that he had not seen his child for eighteen months.
First offender Murray, of Dariada, Bogroy, Tore, claimed in his evidence that the offences simply never happened
Ms Fraser said she didn’t speak to police about the incidents until May 6, 2014, because she was scared of Murray.
Sentence was deferred for reports until today when Murray’s solicitor, in mitigation, said there was no injury from either assault and the matter related to Murray being advised he wasn’t going to be allowed to attend the birth of his child.
“That not surprisingly made the situation somewhat fraught,” he said.
Sheriff Sutherland asked what the situation was regarding contact with the child now?
He was told: “He doesn’t have any. He has written to her but she has declined contact meantime and said she would revisit her attitude after these proceedings.”
Sheriff Sutherland said: “Although the evidence was generally clear what you are saying is he was of previous good character and this was something that arose out of stresses and unusual strains.”
The Sheriff added: “I think it would help both parties if the matter of contact is resolved.”
He said he would defer sentence for a period of six months for good behaviour until May 12 and added he hoped the issue of access would be resolved.