by Craig Borland

A SHERIFF has labelled a case in which a Yoker man punched his girlfriend in the face, seized her by the head, poured alcohol over her and smashed a mobile phone with a dumbbell as “one of the worst cases of domestic abuse I have ever dealt with”.

Sheriff William Gallacher jailed 33-year-old Andrew Forrester for nine months this week after hearing the upsetting details of the March 29 incident.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard that Forrester, of Bradan Avenue, had accused his partner of having a relationship with another man.

Jeanette Maclean, prosecuting, told the court Forrester’s partner had denied the accusation – but that he had become increasingly aggressive and poured a can of beer over her head.

Ms Maclean said Forrester had called his partner a slut, before punching her in the face and demanding that she hand over her mobile phones.

“She was scared and told the accused where her phones were,” Ms Maclean continued.

“He returned with two mobile phones, snapped one of them and smashed the other using a dumbbell that had been on the floor.”

The incident only came to an end when a ten-year-old girl living in the property heard the noise and entered the room.

“She saw the complainer upset and crying and with an injury to her face, and saw the broken phones,” Ms Maclean said.

Police were called to the house and Forrester was taken to Clydebank police station.

On being cautioned and charged, he said the alleged assault “didn’t happen”, and on the charge of damaging two phones, he said: “It wisnae me.” Gail Campbell, defending, said Forrester’s behaviour had been affected by a combination of alcohol and medication he was taking to deal with mental health issues.

Ms Campbell said Forrester and his partner had resumed their relationship since the incident.

“They consider themselves to be a family that, through Mr Forrester’s actions, have been placed under the greatest strain and distress as well as stress,” she added.

“He recognises this is a matter of extreme gravity. There could be just a final opportunity for a non-custodial disposal, but that would be at the very highest level.”

Sheriff Gallacher said , however, did not agree, telling: “The offences before me are frankly hideous. You threw the confidence and trust of those closest to you back at them in the most despicable of ways.

“This is one of the worst cases of domestic abuse I have ever dealt with. I would fail in my public duty if I do not mark your behaviour and your past criminal history with a custodial sentence.”