A DALMUIR man attacked his partner after she told him their relationship of more than 20 years was over, a court has heard.

Lee Miller, 46, broke the woman’s rib in the vicious assault at her home in Clyde Court.

Miller, now of Brunswick House, appeared in court for sentencing on Thursday after pleading guilty to placing the woman in a state of fear and alarm by shouting and swearing at her, uttering derogatory remarks, repeatedly pushing her on the body, knocking her to the floor and striking her on the body.

Fiscal depute Aga Mathieson told Dumbarton Sheriff Court: “The complainer stated she didn’t love him any more and wanted him to leave the property.

“He started shouting and the argument then escalated to be physical. The accused grabbed the complainer and pulled her down. He was pushing and shoving the complainer around the bedroom.

“He carried on shouting and pushed her hard, causing her to fall to the ground, and then struck her to the left side of the body. She suffered a broken rib.”

Miller’s solicitor said the couple had been together for 23 years, and that while the relationship had “had its highs and lows” there had never been any domestic incidents before.

He said: “He had gone to stay there at his partner’s invitation to see if they could reconcile their difficulties, but clearly that didn’t happen.

“He fully accepts that what is narrated is what took place.

“Since then the relationship has ended. They are no longer in contact.”

The agent said there had been a “turnaround” in Miller’s personal circumstances since he committed the attack on February 5, 2016.

“He is subject to a community payback order imposed in August which had no involvement of the complainer,” the solicitor continued, “and his compliance with that order is good.

“He is no stranger to the court but there have been no offences since February last year. That is down to the benefit he has derived from the community order and the opportunity it has given him to take stock of his situation.

“Given the time that has passed since the incident, the lack of analogous convictions and the positive progress he is making, It may be appropriate to impose a similar community order today.”

Deferring sentence for three months for good behaviour, a supplementary social work report and a review of Miller’s community order, Sheriff Simon Pender said: “This is a serious matter. You injured your former partner seriously, and all sentencing options remain open, including custody.”