A MAN battered his estranged wife and her sister outside a court as they tried to resolve access issues over their daughter.

Mohamed Merniz, 28, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Tuesday, August 1 where he admitted assaulting the two women outside the same court on February 16 this year.

Merniz punched his ex-wife on the head, grabbed her by the hair, kicked her on the leg, and knocked her to the ground.

He also repeatedly hit her sister her on the head and body and knocked her to the ground.

Merniz also admitted committing the offences while on bail from Glasgow Sheriff Court on February 23 last year.

Fiscal depute David McDonald outlined the circumstances of the case and told how the couple, who have one daughter together, divorced in 2016 and were involved in a “contact dispute” which ended up in the courts.

He continued: “At the time there was a hearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court.

“About 10am the complainers attended Dumbarton Sheriff Court.

“On arrival they went to the upstairs foyer, spoke to a lawyer who told them their presence was not needed that day.

“Upon their exit they saw the accused and words were exchanged.

“He (Merniz) started walking back from the court and walked towards them.”

At that point the victim’s sister stood between Merniz and his estranged wife to act as a barrier but the accused assaulted both women.

Police were summoned and the accused was detained.

Mr McDonald told the court that an ambulance was summoned too but the victims only sustained “scratches and bumps to the head”.

It was, however, revealed in court that this was car mechanic Merniz’s second conviction for assault to injury, an offence which saw a community payback order placed on him as a direct alternative to custody.

Sheriff William Gallacher said: “A lengthy custodial sentence is definitely a possibility because of the attack, the nature of the attack and the locus.”

Merniz’s defence solicitor told the court that his client did have “difficulties”, mainly with his “mental health” and that he understood he was in a “very grave position”.

Sheriff Gallacher deferred sentence to August 31 in order to obtain a criminal justice social work report and Merniz’s bail was continued.

But Sheriff Gallacher warned Merniz, of St Vincent Terrace, Glasgow: “With considerable hesitation I will allow you to retain your liberty but it will be a considerable ask to persuade the court to impose anything other than a custodial sentence.”