Elgin man who grabbed partner by the neck and punched her is jailed at Inverness Sheriff Court

A man who grabbed his partner by the neck and punched her after a row over a mobile phone has been jailed.

Thomas Crawford, 49, of Shaw Place in Elgin, was sent to prison for 76 days after admitting assault to injury at Inverness Sheriff Court.

Fiscal depute Adelle Gray told the court that the pair had been in a relationship for a year and a half and had been drinking together at his home.

"There was an argument over a mobile phone and he shouted and swore at her,” Ms Gray said.

“Then he grabbed her by the throat and squeezed it so it made it difficult for breathing and he punched her on the forehead.

"A witness heard her screaming and contacted the police who found her with significant swelling and bruising to her neck and head."

Mr Carty said his client had been taking steps to address his alcohol problem and had been doing well.

"It has been a problem for him much of his adult life since the age of 13 and his physical health has suffered,” he said.

“He got involved with someone who drank heavily and as he was in a sober period, he thought he could help her.

"But on that day, alcohol had been taken by both of them and there was a silly argument over a mobile phone with her accusing him of stealing it from her, as well as making comments about him and his family.

“He snapped and he should not have reacted."

Sheriff Gordon Lamont considered jailing Crawford for a maximum 10 months, but reduced it significantly after solicitor Stephen Carty told the court that his client had been on an electronic tag and a curfew since the offence on June 24 last year.

Sheriff Lamont gave Crawford credit for the liberty restriction as it can be deemed time served in prison, although the judge noted that he had several previous convictions involving violence and in domestic situations.