A MINDLESS THUG PUSHED HIS FORMER PARTNER DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS AS HER SISTER LISTENED IN ON THE PHONE.
A MINDLESS thug pushed his former partner down a flight of stairs as her sister listened in on the phone.James Johnstone threatened to kill the woman at her home in Stevenston as the pair argued over missing pregabalin tablets.
The 40-year-old was jailed after he pleaded guilty to four charges in relation to the incident when he appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court this week.
He admitted assaulting and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards his ex-partner as well as resisting, obstructing or hindering police officers - one of whom he assaulted.
The incident took place on April 1 this year, when Johnstone was within the home address of his former girlfriend.
The pair had been in an "on-off" relationship for five months prior to this, prosecutor Craig Wainwright told the court.
Around midday, the couple got involved in an argument, which led to Johnstone becoming aggressive.
"He was shouting at her and threatening to kill her," Mr Wainwright added.
"She left the room and contacted her sister but she was followed into the hallway by the accused [Johnstone]." "He pushed her and she fell down a flight of stairs before she collided with a wall." "Her sister heard this over the phone and described hearing 'banging sounds then a thud'." The woman picked herself up from the ground before making her way into the living room - where she was again followed by Johnstone.
He pushed her again, this time causing her to fall over a sofa.
The 40-year-old then threatened to "get people to come to her home and assault her".
It was at this time that police arrived at the property, after they were contacted by the victim's sister.
The woman shouted out of the window to officers, to tell them she had been assaulted, before they entered the property.
Cops then attempted to place Johnstone in handcuffs but the lout would then become aggressive and hostile as he tried to free himself.
Further officers, who had remained outside, were then called for assistance as Johnstone told them to “f*** off” and “get to f***”.
He continued to tense his arms and struggle with police before freeing one hand which he used to repeatedly punch one policeman.
Handcuffs were eventually applied before the 40-year-old was arrested and taken to Saltcoats police office.
The court was then told that his victim had sustained swelling and bruising as a result of the attack.
Defending, solicitor Graeme Cunningham explained that the relationship between the pair had been "more off than on".
"He [Johnstone] has difficulties with his mental health and substance misuse," Mr Cunningham added.
"He has a mixed record of a number of different matters but violence is not particularly prevalent though he does seem to have taken a disliking to officers of Police Scotland in recent offences.
"The argument took place as pregabalin was in the house and he was accused of taking tablets.
His position is that it wasn’t him that had taken them.
It was her.
In the condition she was in, her memory was flawed.
"He is aware matter your lordship is likely to send him to prison." Sentencing, Sheriff George Jamieson ordered Johnstone to spend a period of six months behind bars from the date of his hearing on July 15.
