PERTH DOMESTIC ABUSER JAILED FOR 3 YEARS AFTER 12-HOUR ATTACK ON PREGNANT PARTNER
A domestic abuser who inflicted severe violence on his pregnant partner, including stamping on her face and stomach during a prolonged 12-hour assault, has been sentenced to three years in prison.James McColl dragged the woman by her hair, throttled her, and inflicted injuries so severe that she thought her jaw had come off.
Perth Sheriff Court heard that the 41-year-old, with a history of 13 previous domestic violence convictions, had previously been released on bail after an earlier assault.
McColl pleaded guilty to charges of assault and threatening behaviour at his residence on Newhouse Road, Perth.
The court was told that the second attack left his partner badly injured and permanently disfigured.
The incident occurred in June 2024 when a neighbour reported the violence to police.
The victim, who was 19 weeks pregnant at the time, was threatened and attacked over a row concerning tobacco and accusations about the paternity of her unborn child.
During the assault, McColl told her, “You’re not pregnant in the face,” and continued the attack so abruptly that she was unaware of what happened.
She left the scene with a bruised eye and sought emergency help, after which social workers assisted her in finding temporary accommodation.
McColl was arrested and released on bail following the incident.
The following year, on September 9/10, he attacked her again when she visited his home to collect belongings.
This time, the woman was 29 weeks pregnant.
During that assault, he knelt on her head, stamped on her face and stomach, and called her a “slag” and a “whore,” denying the baby’s paternity.
The victim’s injuries included a healing jaw fracture, permanent disfigurement, and bleeding from her eyes.
Despite suffering such injuries, she gave birth to a healthy baby later.
The court highlighted McColl’s high risk of reoffending if he continued using illicit drugs.
The sheriff described his actions as a “cowardly, despicable, and vicious attack,” condemning his behaviour and imposing a sentence of 36 months imprisonment, with an additional year of supervised release.
A non-harassment order was also issued, forbidding him from contacting his ex-partner for ten years.
The court emphasized the availability of support services for domestic abuse victims, such as Scottish Women’s Aid.
