SERIAL DOMESTIC ABUSER GUILTY OF 14-YEAR VIOLENCE SPREE
A serial domestic abuser has admitted carrying out a series of violent attacks on two women over a period spanning 14 years, including holding a machete to one woman's throat.James Gray, aged 39, had denied the offences until his trial, which compelled his victims to testify about the violence they endured at his hands.
Following the evidence, he pleaded guilty to seven charges of abuse.
The court heard that Gray assaulted Diane Willsden between January 2001 and December 2010 at addresses in Perthshire and northeast Fife, with incidents involving headbutting, holding her throat, pinning her against a wall, punching, and pouring juice on her face.
He also brandished a knife and threatened to kill her and her son, as well as holding a machete to her throat.
After their breakup, Gray assaulted another victim, Jane Allan, in March 2014 at a cottage in Killiecrankie, Perthshire, involving hair pulling, slapping, twisting her arm, strangulation, and smashing her head against a bath.
She sustained a broken arm and severe injuries.
Gray later attacked her again at Auchtermuchty, Fife, despite a court banning contact, and continued assaults until March 2015.
He initially denied 11 charges but pleaded guilty to seven after the trial; five assault charges, one for threatening and abusing behavior, and one for breaching bail.
The court deferred sentencing for social work assessments and released Gray on bail, with the judge noting his prolonged violence merits a significant custodial sentence.
