Falkirk crime: Thug attacked girlfriend in Avonbridge property

Alan Paterson, 35, told his terrified victim to shut up or “I'll put you six feet under where no-one will find you”.Falkirk Sheriff Court heard that the incident happened in April last year after the pair been watching a film together at a house in Avonbridge.

Prosecutor Katie Cunningham said that Paterson's 33-year-old victim had been in a relationship with the him for only around one week at the time.

Miss Cunningham said: "During the film she received a text from her ex-partner asking how she was.

"When the film ended Paterson accused her of cheating on him.

"She tried to explain that her ex was just a friend, and walked away from Paterson.

"He grabbed hold of her hair, which was in a bun, and pulled her back, causing her to fall onto the floor.

"He straddled her and began punching her face and head.

"She began to scream for help and he put his hand over her nose and mouth, then moved his hands to her neck and grabbed her by the throat tightly."

Paterson "laughed" as his victim tried to break free, and then attacked her again, making the threat to bury her.

Miss Cunningham said: "At this point, she thought he was going to kill her."

At one point when she was on the ground he struck her left hand, which was on the floor, with the glass jar, and kicked her.

At Falkirk Sheriff Court yesterday (Wednesday), Paterson, now of Bo'ness, pleaded guilty to assault causing injury. An allegation that the assault has endangered his victim's life was dropped by the prosecution.

The court heard that police were called in after the victim's mother saw her injuries - which included multiple bruising, a mark on her neck, plus apparent "muscular strain" on her neck – and she went to hospital.

Sheriff Keith O'Mahony deferred sentence until September 13 for reports, and continued Paterson's bail.

He warned: "All options are open, including imprisonment."

Solicitor-advocate Martin Morrow, defending, reserved mitigation.