GREENOCK MAN JAILED AFTER HAMMER ASSAULT ON EX-WIFE
A GREENOCK man who left his wife with a suspected broken rib after a 'brutal and sustained' hammer attack on her has been locked up.A jury found Martin Farmer, 57, guilty of a charge of assault to injury following a trial at Greenock Sheriff Court in January.
His sentencing was deferred after a sheriff requested background reports from social workers.
The trial heard evidence from the woman, who described ‘curling up into a ball’ to defend herself during the ‘brutal and sustained’ attack.
During the incident in July 2023, Farmer punched her on the head and body several times, as well as repeatedly striking her body with the hammer.
The court heard that the pair had been in a relationship for around seven years, but that they were ‘just friends’ when the assault took place.
While no bone injuries were diagnosed, the jury heard that the woman sustained a suspected rib fracture.
She told the trial: “My face was black and blue.
My eyes were swollen.
I had bruises all over my upper body.” Farmer claimed he had been acting in self-defence, but his claims were rejected by jurors.
At his sentencing hearing, Farmer's solicitor Ethan Llewellyn outlined ‘problematic elements’ in the social work report.
During an interview with them, Mr Llewellyn said, Farmer continued to deny any wrongdoing.
Mr Llewellyn said: “The view reflected in the report was the view reflected at the outset in this case and at trial.
“It is in keeping with the evidence Mr Farmer gave.
Mr Farmer has been consistent in his position.” The lawyer pleaded with Sheriff Anthony McGeehan to consider a community-based sentence, noting Farmer’s age, health problems, and the fact that he had never before served time in prison.
He argued that sparing his client prison would also allow Farmer to address the underlying causes of his violent behaviour.
But Sheriff McGeehan told Farmer that a custodial sentence was the only appropriate method of dealing with his case.
He said: “It is clear that you are a domestic abuser.
You subjected your partner to a sustained assault.
The victim of your abuse powerfully described the impact of your abuse.” Farmer, of Quarrier Street, was jailed for a period of 30 months, and was ordered to stay away from his ex-wife for the next five years.
