CRAIG HAYDEN FROM ALNESS CONVICTED OF DOMESTIC ABUSE IN INVERNESS COURT

A 29-year-old man named Craig Hayden has been found guilty of a serious domestic assault that involved attempting to suffocate his former partner. The incident took place in Alness, where Hayden’s violent actions left a lasting impact on the victim and drew the attention of the judicial system.

During the court proceedings at Inverness Sheriff Court, Hayden initially denied the charges of assault causing injury. However, after emotionally charged testimony from his ex-partner, he ultimately changed his plea to guilty. The woman recounted harrowing details of the assault, describing how Hayden had physically restrained her by straddling her, pressing his knees onto her shoulders, and covering her face with pillows and towels in an attempt to suffocate her, thereby restricting her breathing. Her account painted a disturbing picture of violence and fear, with her feeling that she was on the brink of death during one of these terrifying episodes.

The court heard that the relationship between Hayden and the woman had begun with initial affection, with her allowing him to move into her home in Alness just a month after they started dating. She explained that her attraction to him was initially based on his charming smile. However, the relationship quickly deteriorated, turning into a source of mental torment. Hayden’s controlling behavior became evident as he interfered with her family relationships and introduced her to Class A drugs, which further complicated their troubled dynamic.

Her testimony detailed how the abuse escalated from psychological manipulation to physical violence. She described instances where Hayden would pin her down on the bed, hold her by the throat, and repeatedly attempt to smother her with pillows, including during incidents on the stairs and in the bedroom. She expressed her fear that she believed she was going to die during one particular assault, feeling as if it was her last breath.

The court also heard about a distressing holiday in Spain, where Hayden, under the influence of alcohol, became aggressive and hurled insults at her while they were on the beach. This episode added to the pattern of violence and emotional abuse that characterized their relationship.

Following the testimony, Hayden’s legal representative, Bill Martin, offered a guilty plea to an amended charge. He cited Hayden’s extensive criminal record and troubled upbringing as contributing factors to his violent behavior. Hayden himself expressed remorse for his actions during the years 2015 and 2019.

Considering Hayden’s criminal history and the severity of his recent offense, Sheriff Sara Matheson sentenced him to a prison term of 24 months, reflecting the seriousness of his conduct and the need for accountability in cases of domestic violence.