A DRUNK man who attacked his dad in his own home on New Year's Day has been tagged.

Bernard McElhill's father was at his property in Dalmuir during the evening on January 1 this year when his son arrived.

The 30-year-old walked to the kitchen where he headbutted his father and continued to punch him in the head until someone else in the house intervened.

The fiscal depute at Dumbarton Sheriff Court told the hearing this week that McElhill's dad suffered from a cut to the jaw, forehead and a swollen nose.

McElhill, of Brown Avenue, pleaded guilty to assaulting his dad by repeatedly punching him on the head and headbutting him.

He also admitted to a separate charge of assaulting his former partner at a property in Whitecrook on April 12, 2022.

Court papers state that he seized her and dragged her by the body and threw her to her injury.

Then days later on April 16, McElhill attacked her for the second time by seizing her by the hair, violently shaking her head and pushing her to the body, causing the woman to fall.

At the hearing, Phil Lafferty, defending, said: "I accept that the threshold for custody has been met. There is recognition on his part of the seriousness of the offence which is a realistic approach.

"However, this is an individual who has in the past demonstrated he can live within the law.

"The circumstances are somewhat singular. This was the aftermath of some stressful circumstances.

"Alcohol has been the coping mechanism behind his difficulties. He has sought help from the authority. A return to custody would be a backward step."

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry replied: "A return to custody would be because of his own behaviour. He is the author of his own discourse."

Mr Lafferty continued: "He has recognised the problem and has done everything in his power to address that. He has been doing everything he can to turn things around."

The sheriff said: "As you recognise, the straightforward and easier option is simply to send you to custody. With some hesitation, I am not going to do that, but you have to understand what I am going to do does not close down the possibility altogether.

"I am giving you a chance whether it is deserved or not. It is up to you whether you take the chance."

McElhill was placed on a community payback order under social work supervision for two years and ordered to attend alcohol and anger management treatment.

Sheriff Hendry also ordered him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. 

He was also tagged for three months where he must remain in his home from 7pm-7am.

A non-harassment order was also imposed to prevent McElhill from contacting or approaching his ex-partner for three years, but the sentencing of this case was deferred until August for him to be on good behaviour.