SERIAL DOMESTIC ABUSER PAUL ANDERSON GETS COMMUNITY ORDER AFTER BRUTAL ATTACK

A serial domestic abuser named Paul Anderson, aged 41, formerly of Stevenston, has been spared jail after attacking his fifth victim, Carly McCabe. The judge ruled he posed less of a risk to women if left on the streets. Anderson met McCabe on Tinder and assaulted her during their six-month relationship, while abusing steroids and cocaine in preparation for a bodybuilding show. McCabe, 38, was unaware of Anderson’s prior convictions for mistreating four former partners, including assaults, breaches of the peace, and stalking. Anderson, described as a well-built individual, turned McCabe into his fifth victim, attacking her so savagely she thought she was going to die. The assault took place while he was on steroids, intending to reduce his weight for an amateur bodybuilding contest in Newcastle. Anderson confessed in a phone call to McCabe, begging for forgiveness and blaming steroids and cocaine for his behaviour, but refused to accept responsibility at court, claiming she attacked him. McCabe detailed how Anderson grabbed her by the hair, kneed her in the face, dragged her into the kitchen, and hit her head against the worktop before throwing punches and kicks. During the attack, he drew a knife along her throat, threatening to kill her and calling her a vile name, saying he had never done anything like this to any woman before. She was screaming for her children and pleading for him to stop, fearing she would die. Anderson lied in court, claiming self-defence, and broke bail conditions by contacting her afterwards. The jury convicted him of assaulting Miss McCabe by pushing her and behaving threateningly toward her, as well as breaching bail. Sheriff Frances McCartney acknowledged his prior convictions for domestic offences, including three assaults, stalking, and breaches of peace. She called for background reports and warned Anderson he might face jail but ultimately placed him on a three-year Community Payback Order, supervised by social workers and ordered to attend a domestic abuse programme. He was also fined £200, ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work, and given a five-year Non-Harassment Order preventing contact with Miss McCabe, entering her street, or posting about her on social media.