THOMAS FOGGIN

A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months in jail at Selkirk Sheriff Court after admitting to a series of aggressive and harmful attacks on his partner.

Thomas Foggin pleaded guilty to domestic abuse charges, which involved a pattern of abusive behavior towards his partner at their residence in Duns from March to September 2022.

Prosecutor Gillian Koren told the court that the couple had been together for four years and shared a child.

She recounted that on March 27, 2022, Foggin tried to strangle his partner by grasping her neck and squeezing it, then threatening to kill her, which caused bruising on her neck.

On April 18, 2022, the couple was in the hallway when Foggin punched her in the face, causing her to fall and resulting in a black eye and bruising on her jaw as he continued hitting her while she was on the ground.

Ms Koren added that on September 28, 2022, he kicked her, leading her to fall and hit a TV stand in the living room.

The victim recounted that she drove herself to Borders General Hospital, with Foggin insisting he accompany her and convincing her to falsely claim she had fallen from a ladder, despite suffering broken ribs from his assaults.

The incident was reported to police in December 2023, leading to Foggin's arrest, cautioning, and charging.

He did not respond to the charges.

The prosecutor highlighted that the victim supported issuing a non-harassment order and noted that the offenses occurred while a court order was in place forbidding Foggin from approaching her.

Defense lawyer Ross Dow stated Foggin was living homeless in Newcastle and was unfit for work.

He explained that while the relationship had ended, he maintained some contact with the child.

Mr Dow emphasized that the latest incident happened over three years ago and that no further incidents had been reported since then.

Sheriff Donald Ferguson addressed Foggin directly, condemning his actions during a period when court orders prohibited any contact with his partner.

He described the assaults as serious and damaging, justifying the custodial sentence.

In addition to the jail term, the sheriff imposed a non-harassment order, barring Foggin from any contact with his former partner for the next five years.