ABERDEEN MAN AVOIDS JAIL AFTER BRUTAL PARTNER ASSAULT
A violent partner has avoided jail despite subjecting his girlfriend to months of physical abuse and smashing her mobile phone into her head, resulting in bleeding and permanent scars.Anthony McHugh, aged 37, was repeatedly aggressive due to jealousy over messages received on Snapchat and text messages.
He reacted angrily to the woman receiving messages from others, often punching walls, smashing glasses, and destroying personal belongings, including her driving license.
On one occasion, he grabbed her by the chin, held her against a sofa, and tried to force her to unlock her phone while pulling her hair.
He also called her relative to threaten him with violence, repeatedly shouting about killing him.
During an incident in April, McHugh struck her on the head with a mobile phone, causing a cut that required stitches and leaving permanent scarring, alongside bruises and concussion.
McHugh pleaded guilty to a course of abusive behaviour at court.
The judge sentenced him to a supervision order for two years, 160 hours of unpaid work, and ordered him to undertake a rehabilitation program, along with a three-year non-harassment order.
He also admitted breaching bail conditions and making threatening calls.
Despite the severity of his actions, he was handed only a community-based sentence, with the court recognizing his remorse and that he intended no further harm.
