AARON WRIGHT FROM KELTY SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ATTACK IN DUNFERMLINE

A man from Kelty, Aaron Wright, has been sentenced to two years in prison after a violent assault on his former partner in Dunfermline. The incident, which took place over two days on January 10 and 11 of the previous year, involved a series of terrifying and sustained acts of violence that left the victim severely traumatized.

Wright, aged 33 and residing on Oakfield Street, appeared before Dunfermline Sheriff Court to face charges of assault causing severe injury. He had previously pleaded guilty to the charges, which detailed a brutal and domestic assault that shocked those familiar with the case.

The court heard that Wright subjected his victim to a harrowing ordeal marked by repeated acts of violence and intimidation. The assault began with him repeatedly punching her on the head, a pattern of violence that persisted throughout the incident. At one point, he seized her by the throat, covering her mouth and nose with his hand in an attempt to silence her and prevent her from calling for help.

During the attack, Wright also forcibly removed a bathroom door from its hinges after preventing her from locking it, and he claimed to have weapons in his possession, heightening the threat and fear experienced by the victim. The most alarming part of the assault involved Wright holding a knife against her neck, grabbing her by the body, and dragging her along the floor. He then pinned her to the ground, repeatedly punching her in the head until she lost consciousness.

Throughout the ordeal, Wright made several attempts to confiscate her mobile phone, aiming to prevent her from seeking assistance or alerting others to her plight. The attack was classified as domestically aggravated, emphasizing the abusive context within a domestic setting. A victim impact statement was submitted to the court, detailing the profound emotional and physical toll the assault had taken on her.

In delivering her sentence, Sheriff Krista Johnston emphasized the severity of Wright’s actions. She described his culpability and the harm caused as being at the “very high end,” noting that the victim was subjected to a “terrifying ordeal” involving sustained and repeated violence. The sheriff highlighted the use of a knife and the act of covering her mouth as particularly egregious, as well as the fact that Wright caused her to lose consciousness and suffer serious injuries.

Sheriff Johnston also pointed out that Wright’s alcohol consumption at the time of the assault contributed to his behavior. She expressed concern over a social work report that suggested some victim-blaming, which she found troubling. Despite considering mitigating factors, the gravity and nature of the offense led her to conclude that a community sentence would be inappropriate.

Consequently, Wright was sentenced to two years in prison and was also banned for life from contacting or approaching his victim.

During the hearing, Wright’s defense lawyer, Yvonne McKenna, acknowledged her client’s circumstances, noting that both parties had been drinking and that Wright has ongoing mental health issues. She described the incident as an emotional outburst and recognized that his behavior was completely out of order and horrific for his ex-partner.

Ms. McKenna clarified that there was no prior domestic incident involving the victim and highlighted Wright’s genuine remorse, as evidenced by his voluntary engagement with social services and his efforts to seek help from a GP. He has been referred for cognitive behavioral therapy in an attempt to address underlying issues.

Overall, the case underscores the serious nature of domestic violence and the legal system’s response to such brutal acts, with the court making it clear that violence of this magnitude warrants significant punishment and lifelong restrictions on contact with the victim.