JOHN DAVID HUTTON SENTENCED FOR VIOLENT ATTACKS ON PREGNANT WOMAN IN DUNDEE
A man from Dundee, John David Hutton, has been convicted of a series of violent assaults against a pregnant woman, including multiple punches to her head and body.The conviction was handed down during a trial held at the High Court in Aberdeen, where the court examined incidents dating back to 2007.
Hutton, aged 33 and currently a prisoner at Perth, was found guilty of two specific charges related to his violent conduct.
The court heard that between February 15 and February 16, 2007, at an address in Dundee, he subjected the pregnant woman to a brutal assault, repeatedly punching her in the head and body, causing her injury.
These acts demonstrated a clear pattern of violence and disregard for her well-being during that period.
Further, Hutton was convicted of additional assaults committed on various occasions from February 20, 2007, through November 7, 2007.
During this time frame, at the same Dundee address, he continued his pattern of violence by punching and kicking the woman, knocking her to the ground, and even stamping on her body.
These repeated acts of physical abuse inflicted significant harm and trauma upon the victim, highlighting a disturbing history of domestic violence.
There was also a charge alleging that Hutton had attempted to murder the same woman in 2007.
However, the court did not find sufficient evidence to prove this allegation beyond a reasonable doubt, and the charge was not proven.
Additionally, Hutton faced other charges related to an incident in 2014 involving a different woman.
He was acquitted of attempted murder in that case, and a separate charge of detaining and assaulting that woman was also not proven, with the jury returning a not proven verdict.
Furthermore, four other charges against Hutton were withdrawn by the Crown at the start of the trial on February 17.
The court scheduled a sentencing hearing for March 18 in Edinburgh, where Hutton is expected to face further proceedings.
Until then, he remains in custody.
Marsha Scott, the chief executive of Scottish Women’s Aid, expressed her support for the prosecution’s efforts in taking such cases seriously.
While she refrained from commenting on the specifics of this case, she acknowledged that offenses against pregnant women are unfortunately not uncommon.
Scott emphasized the importance of the judicial process, noting that the case’s presence in the High Court underscores the gravity with which the Crown regards abuse cases, especially those involving vulnerable women during pregnancy.
