Vodka attacker's 2 year hangover

Published 23 Feb 2010 16:04

A VIOLENT drinker launched a glass bottle at his partner's head after he was told there was no more vodka.

Martyn Clelland, 32, had been downing the spirit with the woman and a neighbour.

But when the drink supply dried up his temper flared, Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday.

Malcolm McLeod, fiscal depute, said that by 8pm Clelland had drank a considerable amount more vodka than his partner and their guest.

At around 12.10am, Clelland told his partner he "hated her" and stood up in front of her while she sat on the floor.

Mr McLeod said: "[Clelland] asked where the vodka was - he thought she had stolen it when in fact it had been consumed.

"This was explained to Clelland, who was standing right in front of her.

"He swung round holding the empty glass bottle of vodka and threw it directly at her, hitting her on the forehead."

The woman managed to run free of the house and call the police, who later picked up Clelland and charged him and he was subsequently placed on remand.

The woman required three stitches to a three centimetre wide gash on her head, which has left a scar.

Clelland pled guilty to assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement at Ashton View, Westcliff, Dumbarton, on October 20 last year.

Mr Murphy, defending, told the court that Clelland was keen to patch up his relationship with the woman, and had been writing to her regularly from prison.

The lawyer said Clelland's partner of four years had hidden some vodka for the two of them to drink once the neighbour left, which caused the argument.

Mr Murphy said: "She wants him back and has indicated she would like to re-start the relationship upon Mr Clelland's release.

"He stayed out of trouble for four years between 2004 and 2008, which shows he can do it and he has resolved not to drink to prevent this happening again.

"Mr Clelland is really sorry for what happened and he wants to get back into the relationship and make something of it and the only way he can do that is to remain alcohol free."

Sentencing, Sheriff Mhairi McTaggart said previous terms in prison seemed to have had no effect on Clelland, adding: "The difficulty I have is that it seems you think you have an entitlement to behave this way because you are drunk - I do not believe you have any right to do so."

Clellend, whose address was given as c/o Greenock prison, was jailed for two years and three months and handed an extended sentence of one-year on licence upon his release.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 23 Feb 10

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