Port Glasgow man convicted of 'appalling' domestic abuse attack avoids prison

PORT GLASGOW MAN CONVICTED OF 'APPALLING' DOMESTIC ABUSE ATTACK AVOIDS PRISON

A PORT Glasgow man convicted of an 'appalling' domestic abuse offence against his ex-partner has avoided prison.

Ryan McDonald waited until the day of his trial, with the victim cited to give evidence against him, before he finally admitted to the crime — his second against the same woman.

His lawyer, Rhona Lynch, argued for McDonald to be given a community-based sentence, pointing out his 'very limited record' and noting that he was admonished for the other matter.

But Sheriff Andrew McIntyre countered: "The message for the community should not be that you get one free offence." The offence involved McDonald repeatedly punching his victim on her head before kicking her on the legs, causing injury, at a Greenock address on June 27.

McDonald pleaded guilty to the offence on the day of his trial in August.

Sheriff McIntyre placed him on supervision for a year, with a stipulation that he complete a domestic abuse rehabilitation programme.

He will also be on an electronic tag and must remain within his home between 8pm and 7am each day for nine months.

A non-harassment order was also imposed, preventing McDonald from approaching or contacting his victim, or attempting to do so, for a year.

He must not enter a named street in Greenock.