KENNETH BARR

A man was sentenced to three years in prison after a weekend of sustained domestic abuse against his former partner.

Kenneth Barr, 35, subjected the woman to repeated verbal and physical attacks over a 48-hour period at her home in Polmont between April 21 and April 24 of the previous year.

The proceedings at Falkirk Sheriff Court revealed that the violence began soon after the couple returned from Falkirk town centre.

When the woman asked Barr to leave, he reacted violently, shaking her and insulting her before pushing her, which caused her to back into a wall.

Over the course of that weekend, Barr’s assault escalated.

He spat in her face twice, threw a beer bottle that struck her forehead, and punched her in the face.

He was observed running away laughing before throwing a stone at her window.

Police arrested Barr on the Monday evening as he was trying to get into the house.

During the arrest, officers discovered he possessed a Stanley knife blade.

Barr, who has a lengthy criminal record related to long-term alcohol and drug problems, appeared via video link from custody and pleaded guilty to the assault.

Defense attorney Gordon Addison noted that Barr’s lifestyle had been unstable and he was struggling with substance issues.

The sentencing judge, Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith, emphasized that the serious and lengthy nature of the abuse justified a prison sentence.

He also imposed a non-harassment order preventing Barr from contacting the victim for three years.