A CHILD was heard pleading with a drunken thug to stop his physical attacks.

Florin Cretu, 49, previously pleaded guilty to abuse of his then-partner in an incident on August 2, 2023.

Around 6pm that day, he and the woman had been together at a property in Dumbarton. Cretu had gone out and then returned a short time later under the influence with bloodshot eyes and difficulty standing up.

The woman feared Cretu might drive drunk and he ended up pushing her to the body, causing her to strike her head on a wall.

He shouted: "You're a whore."

The woman video-called her mother, stating she was scared. The mother could hear the disturbance through the call and a child could be heard begging Cretu to stop.

The call was ended and the woman was eventually trying to help Cretu get ready for bed.

He kept pushing her hands away and then went downstairs for more alcohol.

The partner tried to get him to stop drinking but he continued to push her hands away.

Eventually, Cretu was found passed out next to a neighbour's fence. Once he was asleep, the woman and children packed belongings and fled.

Police were contacted later that month.

Cretu, previously of Kestrel Road, Glasgow and now Shandon Brae, Balloch, pleaded guilty to assaulting his partner to her injury. It was aggravated by being against a partner or ex.

Defence solicitor Stephen McGuire told Dumbarton Sheriff Court on January 30 that his client had made "progress" in recent months and was "committed to changing his ways".

Sheriff David Hall said: "He seems realistic and acting in a responsible fashion."

The sheriff added: "You appear as a first offender. It's a serious offence.

"It appears you have been acting very properly since this offence and adhered to bail conditions."

He imposed a community payback order with 60 hours of unpaid work in the community in the next six months.

No non-harassment order was imposed.