Daughter's call: '˜Help, mum is being strangled!'

William Martin (30) attacked the woman on two separate occasions while her 13-year-old daughter was present.

Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, Martin, 25e Thirlestane, Bo’ness, previously admitted the assaults he committed at an address in Oxgang Road, Grangemouth on January 19 and February 12. He also pled guilty to breaching his bail conditions by contacting his partner on February 12.

Procurator fiscal depute Siobhan Monks said: “There was an argument between the accused and the complainer’s daughter and the complainer intervened. The accused jumped onto the bed next to her and placed his head against her head.

“He pulled her leg and pulled her down the bed, telling her he was going to pull her onto the floor. He then ripped a television from the wall and threw it at her, striking her legs. He started throwing clothes at her before moving back to the bed and punching her in the face.

“She took hold of a pillow and tried to protect herself. He took the pillow and put it on her neck and applied pressure. At this point the complainer’s daughter came back in the room and saw the accused with his hands on her mother’s neck.

“She contacted police to tell them her mother was being strangled.”

Arrested for that offence, Martin was granted bail and then attacked his partner again, once more grabbing her by the throat, this time in front of her daughter and her friend.

Martin Morrow, defence solicitor, said: “He comes from a fragmented family with a history of domestic violence.”

Sheriff Derek Livingston said Martin’s record was “frankly appalling”.

In sentencing Martin to prison, Sheriff Livingston added: “You committed this offence in front of two young girls – you have no compunction about who is there when you are violent with your partner.”