ALNESS MAN JAILED FOR ASSAULTING GIRLFRIEND AND HER ELDERLY MOTHER
Ian Docherty, a 44-year-old man from Firhill, Alness, was sentenced at Tain Sheriff Court for serious assaults on his partner and her 79-year-old mother.Docherty initially engaged in a heated argument with his partner at her mother’s residence in Alness, which escalated into violence.
According to court reports, Docherty became aggressive and physically assaulted his partner after she told him to "shut up" during the argument.
He then assaulted the elderly woman when she attempted to intervene, sending her "flying" across the room with a push.
The mother, a 79-year-old woman, heard the commotion and entered the room to see her daughter on the bed being punched by Docherty.
She tried to stop him by grabbing his t-shirt, but he pushed her across the bed, causing her to fall onto a pouffe.
Docherty then took her mobile phone and landline to prevent her from calling for help.
The incident resulted in various visible injuries, including bruising and red marks on her face and neck.
Docherty fled the scene but was detained by police around 4 am and was subsequently taken to Burnett Road Police Station.
During his detention, Docherty directed verbal abuse at police officers, calling them various inappropriate names and making threats.
He pleaded guilty to assault and assault to injury charges, as well as racially aggravated threatening or abusive behavior towards the officers.
The court, considering his mental health background, sentenced him to nine months in custody, which was backdated to December of the previous year.
Additionally, a non-harassment order was imposed for one year to prevent any contact with the victim or her mother.
The sheriff stated, "I’m not persuaded there is any alternative to a custodial sentence," and Docherty was incarcerated for nine months.
