A drugged-fuelled thug who attacked both his mum and sister in their own home in Aberdeen has been handed a jail sentence.
Ross Fletcher brutally punched his sister in the face around a dozen times before he was dragged off her and thrown out of the house after an argument on October 25, last year.
The 31-year-old, who was living with his mum and her grandson in an Aberdeen flat at the time, physically attacked both his mum and his sister after they asked him to leave during an argument.
His sister was left requiring medical treatment after the assault, while his mum was also injured.
Fiscal depute Alison Reid told the Aberdeen Sheriff Court Fletcher became “irate” after being asked to leave the two-bedroom Byron Court home at around 2.15pm that Sunday.
After an argument in the bedroom, he pushed his mum with force onto the bed where a television fell on top of her.
When his sister overheard her mum shouting she went into the bedroom to see what was going on, before her brother turned on her.
Fletcher ‘thoroughly ashamed’ of actions
“He thereafter lunged at his sister and began punching her multiple times to the head, causing her to fall backwards onto the floor,” the fiscal said.
“He got on top of her and continued to punch her to the face and head, approximately 12 times. Those present attempted to stop him by pulling him away but were unable to do so.”
Fletcher’s relentless attack finally came to an end after his mum contacted a neighbour for help.
Together they “ushered” him from Byron Court before he made off in the direction of Springhill Road.
Paramedics and police attended and Fletcher’s mum and sister were treated for bruising to the leg and a swollen and bruised face, respectively.
He was traced by officers five days later.
History of drug abuse
Defence agent Alex Burn said Fletcher had been “blighted by drug abuse for most of his life” and had a “long list of crimes of dishonesty”.
He said his client had been “strung out” that day.
“He is thoroughly ashamed of what he did,” Mr Burn said. “This was his own mum and sister.
“His mum and sister have forgiven him for this conduct on that particular day.”
Fletcher, a prisoner at HMP Grampian in Peterhead, admitted two separate charges of assault to injury.
‘Cannot overlook’ previous violence
Sheriff Graham Buchanan told him: “This was a nasty incident, I think you accept that of course.
“One charge is very nasty indeed because you punched your sister a large number of times and she sustained bruising and a swollen eye from what you did.
“I appreciate that your mother and sister have forgiven you for this but I cannot overlook that you have two previous convictions for serious violence.
“This might not be as serious as them but nevertheless this must be dealt with by way of a custodial sentence.”
He imprisoned Fletcher for 12 months, backdated to August when he was first remanded in custody.
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