Greenock man Jonathon McGill spared jail for assaulting ex

GREENOCK MAN JONATHON MCGILL SPARED JAIL FOR ASSAULTING EX

A MAN who attacked his ex-partner at a flat in Greenock has been spared prison and ordered to take part in a rehab programme for domestic abuse offenders as part of a community-based punishment.

Jonathon McGill - who has a previous conviction for a domestically aggravated offence - had originally been charged with seizing the woman by her neck, throwing her onto a couch, placing her in a headlock and repeatedly punching her.

However, the 26-year-old pleaded guilty to a much-reduced charge of assaulting her by punching her on the head.

A not guilty plea to a second allegation of shouting, swearing and uttering threats was accepted by the Crown.

Defence solicitor Amy Spencer told a sentencing hearing at the sheriff court: “Clearly charge one is a very serious offence coupled with his record.” McGill was convicted on indictment last year of fighting another man in broad daylight at a children's playpark on Branchton Road.

He went to the door of family members in Larkfield in January this year and made threats of violence and threatened to vandalise property at the house.

Sentence on the latest matter had been deferred for background reports, which were described by lawyer Miss Spencer as 'positive'.

Sheriff Sheena Fraser sentenced McGill, whose other domestic conviction for an offence against another woman dates back to 2019, to a community payback order as a direct alternative to custody.

He will be under the supervision of the criminal justice social work department for 18 months and must attend the Up2U project.

McGill will also have to complete 135 hours of unpaid work within six months and a progress review will take place at the court on October 10.

A one-year non-harassment order was also imposed requiring McGill, of Branchton Road, to stay away from his victim's home.