MICHAEL FLEMING'S BRUTAL ATTACK IN ARDROSSAN: SHOCKING ASSAULT ON WOMAN AND INFANT LEADS TO JAIL TIME

In a disturbing incident that has shocked the community of Ardrossan, Michael Fleming, a 40-year-old man known locally for his struggles with alcohol, was sentenced to prison after a violent assault that left a woman with a broken shoulder and caused injuries to a young child. The assault occurred in the early hours of May 12, following a night of erratic behavior fueled by substance use, and has drawn widespread condemnation from residents and authorities alike.

According to court proceedings at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, Fleming had initially arrived at a residence in Ardrossan in an agitated state. Witnesses and the prosecution described his demeanor as highly unpredictable, with Fleming expressing feelings of distrust towards everyone around him. The night began with Fleming and the female occupant consuming alcohol together, but tensions escalated when Fleming, feeling unwell, requested the keys to his car. The woman, concerned about his intoxication, refused to hand over the keys, leading to a heated argument that culminated in Fleming leaving the property.

However, Fleming did not stay away for long. In the early hours of the following morning, he returned to the same Ardrossan home, entering while the woman was holding her infant child. Without warning, Fleming launched a violent attack, throwing punches at the woman and striking the baby as well. The woman, in a desperate attempt to protect her child, fell to the ground and used her hands to shield the infant from further harm. Despite her pleas for Fleming to cease his assault, he continued to strike her until he eventually left the scene again.

Fleming’s actions did not end there. Later that morning, he contacted police himself, admitting to having injured someone. When officers arrived at the scene, they observed that the baby had sustained a small cut to the nose and a large lump on the head. The woman was found to have a fractured shoulder, and both she and her child were transported to Crosshouse Hospital for treatment. The injuries inflicted by Fleming were considered serious, and the incident left a lasting impact on the victims.

Later that day, Fleming was located on Central Avenue in Ardrossan and taken into custody at Kilmarnock police station. During the court hearing, his solicitor, Scott Agnew, described Fleming as a “functioning alcoholic” who had been struggling with his drinking problems. Mr. Agnew expressed that Fleming had consumed alcohol elsewhere that evening but had decided to stay at the woman’s house because he was getting along well with her. It was during this visit that Fleming took acid for the first time, which precipitated his sudden and violent behavior. The solicitor explained that Fleming has no recollection of his actions after ingesting the drug but remembered calling the police due to hallucinations and losing control of his inhibitions.

In court, Mr. Agnew emphasized that Fleming had recently completed a 16-day alcohol detox program and intended to seek further help once released. Despite his remorse, the court was faced with the gravity of the assault. Sheriff George Jamieson sentenced Fleming to 16 months in prison, with the sentence backdated to his initial remand on May 13. As Fleming was led away from the dock in tears, the community was left to grapple with the aftermath of this violent episode, which has left a woman with a broken shoulder and a young child with injuries that could have been far worse.