A MAN who carried out a vicious assault on his partner at their home in Duntocher is facing a prison sentence.

Nicholas Clark was heavily intoxicated when he carried out the violent attack on the woman last month.

Clark appeared in court for sentencing last Friday – but a final decision on how he will be punished won’t be made until Wednesday.

Clark, 29, admitted pulling out some of his partner’s hair in the attack at a flat in Craigielea Road on February 23.

The charges admitted by Clark stated that he seized the woman by the hair, repeatedly struck her on the head with his own head and refused to let go of her hair, causing a section of it to be removed, all while she was holding a young child.

Clark, who was listed in court papers as living at Glorat Avenue in Lennoxtown, also admitted placing the young child at risk of serious injury in the violent assault and shouting, swearing and acting in an aggressive manner towards the woman while in the presence of children.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry asked Clark’s solicitor: “Is he expecting anything other than a custodial sentence here?”

The lawyer replied: “No. He is under no illusions.”

His lawyer said: “He has a significant problem with alcohol. He comes across as very pleasant, and has a good relationship and a good job – when he is sober.

“He is contrite and genuine in that condition. The minute he has a drink he becomes a completely different person.”

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry replied: “Little will be achieved in some senses by a prison sentence because the risk will still be there when he re-emerges.

“He has other assaults to injury on his record, but I don’t see the word ‘domestic’ against them – though he has other offences where I do see the word ‘domestic’.”

Clark’s solicitor said: “His first memory of this was coming round to the aftermath of it. He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and has a genuine desire to stay out of trouble.”

The lawyer said Clark’s partner wanted him back – but only if she could count on him staying away from alcohol.

Fiscal depute Sarah Healing said the Crown would be seeking a non-harassment order preventing Clark from contacting his partner – though Clark’s solicitor suggested that because of his partner’s views, the sheriff might consider a condition on the order that Clark should only not contact or approach his partner if he had had a drink within 24 hours.

Sheriff Hendry said: “It’s an inventive and constructive suggestion, but how would it be policed?”

Sentence was further deferred until March 28.