ROBERT CLARK BRUTALIZES WOMAN IN HOLYTOWN - SENTENCED TO JAIL

A woman from Holytown was left battered and emotionally shattered after her partner, under the influence of drugs, violently assaulted her in her own bedroom. Robert Clark, aged 38, was brought before Hamilton Sheriff Court where he received a sentence of 16 months in prison. Additionally, the court issued a five-year order prohibiting him from approaching his former partner.

Clark pleaded guilty to the charge of assault, which took place at her residence on Sunnyside Terrace, Holytown, on December 20. The court was informed that the couple had ended their 16-month relationship in February of the previous year. However, they later rekindled their relationship during the summer months, although they did not resume cohabitation. The prosecutor, Sinead Corrigan, detailed the harrowing incident, stating that the woman was awakened shortly after 9 am by Clark, who refused to leave her bedroom despite her pleas. The situation escalated when Clark punched her in the face and struck her ribs, following her into the living room as she called out for him to leave.

She managed to retreat back into her bedroom, but Clark continued his assault by punching her again. The injuries she sustained included a black eye and stomach pain, which police officers observed when they arrived to find her distressed and clutching her stomach. The court also heard that Clark's plea of not guilty to charges of demanding money and shouting threats was accepted, with Clark claiming that his drug use impaired his memory of the incident.

The sheriff emphasized that imprisonment was necessary given the severity of the assault. The sentence was backdated to account for the time Clark had already spent in custody since his arrest. Furthermore, the court imposed a five-year non-harassment order to protect the victim from further contact or intimidation by Clark.