A CLYDEBANK man who attacked his former partner will be considered for drug addiction treatment.

William Ennis, 35, had gone on trial last year for an indictment on a 2018 assault to injury of the woman in Hardgate. In the process of the trial, he changed his plea to guilty.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week, Ennis, previously of Duncombe View, North Drumry, appeared from custody for breaching a court order to prevent him contacting the woman. He broke that on February 1, 2020.

The court heard Ennis had been in prison for seven months and was due to be released the next day, November 4.

Defence solicitor Charlie McCusker said his client was guilty of a “serious charge” but that after amendments to what he originally faced with the jury, it was “far less serious”.

He said his client and his ex had been in a relationship for five years but both had been addicted to substances and alcohol.

Mr McCusker added: “He recognises and fully accepts what he did was entirely wrong.”

Sheriff William Gallacher said Ennis’s record was not overwhelming with matters of violence, but that many alternatives to custody had been tried and ended up in breaches.

Mr McCusker said: “Is he keen to get help? Yes he is. He says, ‘I do want to change’.

“He recognises he is 35 and doesn’t want to continue in that way.”

He added that the relationship with his ex was over.

Sheriff Gallacher said that, while he was hesitant, he ordered a drug treatment and testing order assessment for Ennis.

A further hearing on December 10 will hear if he is suitable and consideration of a non-harassment order to protect his ex.