A man in Hamilton with a history of domestic abuse has been sentenced to jail once again, with the court condemning his “bullying and abusive” actions. David Russell’s victim managed to send a distressing text to her mother seeking help while she was being attacked by him.
Russell, aged 35, pleaded guilty to assaulting his partner at her residence in Kerr Crescent, Hamilton, on December 12. The assault involved him choking her with his hands. This incident comes after Russell was previously imprisoned for putting a fabric around her neck and tightening it.
At Hamilton Sheriff Court, it was revealed that the couple had been in an on-off relationship for 22 years. Neil Thomson, the prosecutor, described how the situation escalated when Russell began to act aggressively by kicking and punching the woman before choking her, which resulted in restricted breathing.
Fortunately, the victim was able to alert her mother through a text message saying “Help me” during the attack. When her mother arrived, she found the woman in distress, with Russell behaving erratically and justifying his actions as “only an argument.” The police officers noted the victim’s visible injuries, including a large bruise and bump on her forehead.
Defence lawyer Gregor Jarrott acknowledged the severity of the case, emphasizing Russell’s violent history towards his partner. He mentioned that Russell had been using his time in custody positively by gaining qualifications and addressing his alcohol and mental health issues.
Sheriff Colin Dunipace sentenced Russell to two years in prison, with the term backdated to December 14, and imposed a five-year non-harassment order. The sheriff expressed concern over Russell’s recurrent domestic violence offences and stated that the courts would not tolerate such abusive behaviour towards women.
This sentence highlights the importance of holding perpetrators of domestic abuse accountable and protecting victims from further harm.
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In summary, a man in Hamilton with a disturbing pattern of domestic abuse has been sentenced to jail again for assaulting his partner. Despite his history of violence, the courts have taken a stand against such abusive behaviour and handed down a significant sentence. This case underscores the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the need for society to address and prevent such harmful actions.