MAN HIT PARTNER WITH TOWEL AND MADE THREATS TO 'DESTROY' HER
A MAN repeatedly struck his partner with a 'twisted' towel and threatened to 'publicly destroy' her during a campaign of domestic abuse spanning five years, a court has heard.David Pyefinch appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court this week, where he admitted his cruel actions towards the woman between October 2019 and April 2024.
The 46-year-old engaged in an abusive course of behaviour at an address in Gourock and several other locations elsewhere in the country during this period.
The court heard Pyefinch’s offending occurred during the couple’s three-year relationship, as well as after their separation in 2020.
On one occasion in August 2020, the woman had run herself a bath at Pyefinch’s home in Stirling before starting work.
He began to complain, wishing to take a bath himself, and gave her a ten-second countdown.
While she sat in the tub, a discussion took place over where she would go after work.
She told Pyefinch she planned to head to her own property, at which point he picked up a towel, twisted it and proceeded to strike her on the head and legs.
Feeling 'vulnerable', the woman got out of the bath, collected her belongings, and left to travel back home.
A few days after this incident, during a text message exchange, he made threats to disclose personal information to ruin her career.
In one message, he told the woman he would ‘publicly destroy’ her.
During a WhatsApp exchange in October 2019, Pyefinch sent her over 180 messages — some abusive.
The woman replied only 25 times and also received multiple calls from Pyefinch which she did not answer.
In April 2024, Pyefinch contacted her claiming his vehicle had broken down and asked her to collect him.
She declined, feeling 'frightened' by his tone, and received around 100 mostly abusive messages during this incident.
Pyefinch was due to stand trial but instead pleaded guilty to an amended charge.
The court is awaiting a social work report before sentencing.
Pyefinch, of Doune, will return to court on November 26.
