An Aberdeenshire man has admitted carrying out a catalogue of assaults on his girlfriend and spitting in the face of a police officer.
Jake Harpin appeared in Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday after harming his partner, Sophie Masson, on three separate occasions in Kemnay and Alford.
During one incident a neighbour was awoken by the sounds of screams, and found the 22-year-old punching and kicking her “repeatedly” in broad daylight.
The court heard that on November 2, 2014, the police were called to a property in Kemnay to find Harpin, of 17 St Andrews, Monymusk, grabbing Miss Masson by the neck.
Fiscal depute, Laura Begg, said officers had to “force entry” into the property, after which he “began to struggle” and later “spat towards” one of them.
Harpin also admitted assaulting constable Brian Pirie.
On November 9, 2014 at an address in Alford the court heard a neighbour was “awoken by the sound of a female screaming and shouting outside”.
Ms Begg said: “The complainer was seen to (be) swinging a plastic bag at the accused. The accused was then seen to kick her on the leg. (He was) then seen to punch Miss Masson on the body.
“While on the ground (he was) seen to kick her in an area of her ribs several times, causing her to scream out and cry.”
During this incident he also pulled her “to her injury”, grabbed her torso and pushed her to the ground.
On arrival, Ms Begg said officers “could visibly see that Miss Masson was injured”.
Harpin also admitted throwing a dog lead, a glass and plastic bottles at Miss Masson on June 22, last year outside a house in Kemnay.
Harpin is said to have “smelled strongly of alcohol” during the incident.
Ms Begg said: “When police attended, Miss Masson told them she’d been assaulted by the accused. At that time he was outside the locus, was in a park and – seeing the officers – ran away.
“Officers went back to Miss Masson’s home address and at that time was seen to run into the property. When officers went back in he had his arm around her neck and was pulling her into a room.”
Solicitor David Sutherland said his client’s behaviour had improved in the past year.
He added: “Miss Masson and the accused continue to reside together. He appears to have moved forward.”
Sheriff Morag McLaughlin placed him under supervision for 12 months.
