Alness man split wife’s head open by hitting her and called her ‘unworthy’

A 55-year-old Easter Ross man who subjected his now ex-wife to violence, torment and abuse over several years between 2005 and 2010 has escaped a jail sentence.

Inverness Sheriff Court was told that Douglas Jenkins, now of Manor Crescent, Aberdeen, had not re-offended for the past 10 years and his offences were committed in a backdrop of alcohol abuse by him and his partner.

Jenkins had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman to her severe injury on various occasions at locations in Alness and Invergordon between August, 2005 and October, 2010 by striking her on the head with a cup, seizing her by the throat and sitting on top of her.

He also admitted that during the same period, he repeatedly placed her in a state of fear and alarm by acting aggressively, shouting, swearing, throwing items around and locking her out of the property.

Sentence had been deferred for a background report.

Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald decided against a term of imprisonment for Jenkins due to the age of the offences but added after reading the social work report: "Your attitude to the offences is unacceptable."

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The court had been told that the relationship was under strain when the couple and seven children moved into their Alness three bedroom home in 2005.

The sheriff went on: "You appeared to be under significant stress at the time but both of you were under stress, but only one — you — was violent."

She sentenced him to remain under social work supervision for two years as an alternative to custody and banned him from contacting his ex-wife for the same period.

Fiscal depute Pauline Gair said that Jenkins hit his wife on the head with a coffee mug, splitting her head which required four stitches.

On another occasion, her children found her unconscious in the house, suffering injuries to her chin and foot and called 999. The woman again required sutures.

Mrs Gair added that Jenkins would accuse his wife of being unfaithful, routinely act aggressively towards her, hurling insults at his victim, calling her "unworthy", leaving her upset.

His solicitor advocate Clare Russell told the sheriff: "He was dealing with adverse childhood experiences at the time by over-consumption of alcohol which was also being consumed by his wife. It was not a healthy relationship. But he has been out of trouble for 10 years and has got his life back on track."