A sheriff has warned a man who carried out “an act of savage brutality” on his partner that he would probably face a prison sentence.
Corrine Aitken suffered two black eyes and multiple bruising and hair loss at the hands of fisherman Gary Macleod at their home on Murchison Street, Wick.
The court at Wick heard that the couple had been on separate nights out on March 26.
They exchanged texts initially, but then Miss Aitken decided to ignore his messages.
Fiscal Fraser Matheson said that Miss Aitken went home and went to bed.
Mr Matheson continued: “Her next recollection was waking up, injured and noticing clumps of her hair on the bedroom floor.”
Miss Aitken managed to reach her brother’s house nearby at 4am the following morning, in a “highly distressed” state, her face covered in blood and told him and his wife that she had been attacked by Macleod.
The police were summoned and after interviewing Miss Aitken, traced Macleod who was seen to have fresh injuries to his knuckles which were swollen and bleeding.
Mr Matheson said that there were “long strands of brown hair sticking to the surface of one of Macleod’s hands, some of which corresponded to the pieces of hair missing from Miss Aitken’s head.”
When detained by the police on suspicion of having assaulted his partner, Macleod replied to the caution: “Me and Corrine had a fallout, aye”.
Miss Aitken was treated at the A&E department of Caithness General Hospital for multiple bruising, tenderness and cuts, which covered most of her body.
Bail was refused by Sheriff Andrew Berry who called for a background report.
The sheriff told Macleod, who appeared from custody and admitted the assault and a record:”From my understanding of the facts, this seems to have been an act of savage brutality.
“You have a previous conviction for a domestic offence and in the public interest you will be remanded in custody.
“I will listen to what will be said on your behalf but it may well be that a custodial sentence is inevitable.”
Macleod will reappear for sentence on May 10.
