ABUSE VICTIM HID IN BATHROOM AS EX SAID HE'D RIP HER HEAD OFF'
An abuse victim in East Kilbride isolated herself by locking herself in the bathroom for an hour to escape her violent partner.The woman sustained a broken wrist following an assault by Michael Docherty, who also threatened to 'rip her head off.' Docherty, aged 23, faced a hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
He pleaded guilty to charges of abusive behavior and assault, which occurred at their shared home in Owen Park during the period from August to December 2020.
Jennifer Cunningham, prosecuting, said the couple moved into the flat in July that year, but Docherty was soon subjecting his partner to verbal abuse "on a daily basis".
She told the court: "He would get angry and go on rampages.
"On one occasion Docherty was complaining about the mess of the property.
"She was holding her laptop computer and he pushed her from behind, causing her to fall.
"As a result she sustained a fractured wrist and had to wear a cast for six to eight weeks.
"Docherty sent her numerous texts, apologising, but his abusive behaviour continued.
"He would scream at her and threatened to rip her head off." In October 2020, Docherty "forcibly" grabbed his partner by the neck during a confrontation, leaving her with bruising.
A few months later, in December, after another disagreement, she told him she wanted a break.
In response, Docherty became enraged, prompting her to lock herself in the bathroom for an hour as he banged on the door and threatened to 'take it off its hinges.' She repeated this act of seeking refuge in the bathroom after a similar incident a few days later before calling the police.
