A serial domestic abuser has been sentenced to 30 months in jail for a brutal assault on his partner at her home in Larkhall. The incident, which took place in Scotia Crescent on April 7, saw David McIntosh, 42, attack the woman in a horrifying manner. It was revealed in Hamilton Sheriff Court that McIntosh’s drinking companion had to intervene twice to prevent him from further harming the victim.
The court heard that McIntosh, who had been released from prison earlier in the year, was residing with the woman at the time of the assault. Aislinn O’Donnell, the prosecutor, revealed that the victim had been subjected to previous attacks by McIntosh. On the day of the assault, McIntosh and his friend had been drinking before returning to the house, where the situation escalated.
According to O’Donnell, a disagreement between McIntosh and his partner led to him violently grabbing her by the neck, dragging her to the floor, and kicking her on the face. The assault only ceased when his friend intervened. The victim managed to call the police, fearing for her life as McIntosh continued his violent outburst, smashing her phone and physically attacking her again.
Upon police arrival, the woman was found in a distressed state with visible injuries, cuts, and bruising from the assault. Despite the extreme violence she endured, she wrote a letter in support of McIntosh. In court, McIntosh admitted to the assault and expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he had undergone detox while in custody and vowed to control his drinking in the future.
Sheriff John Hamilton, who presided over the case, noted McIntosh’s history of violence towards women, citing a previous conviction for assaulting another partner. He described the assault as “nasty and persistent” before sentencing McIntosh to 30 months in prison. However, the sentence was reduced from 40 months due to McIntosh’s early guilty plea and backdated to April.
In addition to the jail term, Sheriff Hamilton imposed a non-harassment order against McIntosh for three years to protect the victim. Despite her support for him, the court deemed her vulnerable and in need of safeguarding from any future harm. McIntosh’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of domestic abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.