ALEXANDER MCFARLANE'S BRUTAL CRIME SPREE IN STONEHAVEN LEADS TO JAIL SENTENCE

A man known for his controlling and violent behavior has been sentenced to prison after a lengthy pattern of abuse against his partner in Stonehaven. Alexander McFarlane, aged 28, was found to have subjected his partner to nearly four years of physical and emotional torment, including repeated assaults and manipulative control over her daily life.

According to court records, McFarlane engaged in a sustained campaign of violence that involved punching and headbutting his partner on multiple occasions. His aggressive actions were not limited to physical violence; he also exerted significant control over her routines, dictating her diet and sleep schedule, effectively isolating her from normal social interactions and independence.

The court heard disturbing details of McFarlane’s threats to kill his partner. On one particularly alarming occasion, he reportedly told her, "I want to push part of the hoover into your skull until it breaks and dump your body at the bottom of the stairs." These threats underscored the dangerous and volatile nature of their relationship. The woman confided in police that McFarlane is "unable to control his rage," which often resulted in violent outbursts.

Throughout their relationship, McFarlane maintained tight control over many aspects of his partner’s life, including her finances, diet, and sleep patterns. His threats to kill her were frequent, and he often made violent threats involving various tools, indicating a clear intent to harm. His physical assaults included choking her on at least four separate occasions, with one incident in April 2019 where he headbutted her, causing a nose injury. She later reported this injury to the NHS, claiming it was an "accident," despite the evidence of violence.

Further incidents occurred in September 2022, when McFarlane punched her again and struck her with a set of weighing scales. The victim endured multiple assaults, including headbuttings and blows to her stomach and arms, over the course of their relationship. A neighbor witnessed McFarlane pinning her down during one of these episodes and promptly called the police, highlighting the danger he posed.

McFarlane pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in a course of abusive behavior and assault causing injury, covering the period from April 2019 to February 2023. His admissions included throwing objects, making threats, and repeatedly attacking his partner with violence. Police assessments confirmed that he was a danger to her safety, leading to his sentencing.

He was sentenced to 16 months in prison and was issued a non-harassment order for three years, which prohibits him from approaching or contacting his partner again. His solicitor acknowledged that McFarlane’s troubled childhood contributed to his violent tendencies, but emphasized that this did not justify his actions. The sheriff overseeing the case stressed the seriousness of McFarlane’s conduct, underscoring the need for custodial punishment to protect the victim and serve justice.