Thug assaults his pregnant partner

Oct 2 2009

A MAN shoved his pregnant partner so hard she feared her collar bone was broken.

And this week, Robert Collins was branded a “thug” by a sheriff.

Collins, 25, admitted the assault when he appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court this week.

He grabbed the woman – who was seven months pregnant at the time – by the arm and shoved her onto a couch at their Auchinleck home.

The woman had to go to the hospital later because her shoulder was so painful.

Doctors feared she had a broken collar bone, but could not X-ray her because of the pregnancy.

The court was told that the pair had been in a relationship for five years and already have a four-year-old son.

A depute fiscal went on to tell Sheriff Jack McGowan that an argument between the couple took place at around midday on June 14, because the young woman had stayed out all night.

Defence lawyer Gerry Tierney said that his client did not realise how rough he had been until two days later, when he returned home and another argument ensued and the police were called.

Mr Tierney added: “They intend to have a future together. She strikes me as being a determined young lady. While not making any apologies for him, she describes him as a hardworking father and a good provider.”

Collins has several previous convictions, including one for a domestic breach of the peace.

After reading reports on Collins, who gave his address as Peden Drive in Auchinleck, Sheriff McGowan said: “The fact remains it is stated categorically that you appear to display little understanding of the wider implications of domestic abuse.

“You’re not this fine upstanding fellow I’ve been hearing about. You’re a bit of a thug, that’s the truth of the matter. And I have the record here in front of me to prove that.”

Collins was given 12 months’ probation with 120 hours of community service.