A MAN has been jailed for attacking his partner in her Irvine home after she questioned him about messages he sent to other women.
Connor Chambers, 31, pleaded guilty to one charge of assaulting the woman at her home address in the town when he appeared from custody at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Tuesday, July 23.
The incident took place on March 16 this year, though tension first began rising between the pair the day prior, procurator fiscal depute Jaide Podlesny told the court.
Ms Podlesny explained that the couple had been in an "on and off" relationship for around three years prior. They lived at different addresses, however Chambers would often reside with his partner at her home in Irvine.
They were together at this location on the evening of March 15 when they had a disagreement about Chambers being unfaithful after his partner saw messages on his phone from other woman.
However, at this time the woman did not want to irritate Chambers so did not continue the argument and the pair went to bed.
The following morning, his partner woke up and observed further messages on Chambers' phone - as well as dating apps that had been downloaded.
She challenged him but he was described as "not willing to discuss the matter" and the couple argued for around an hour thereafter.
It was at this time that Chambers became more aggressive, which prompted his partner to make an attempt to call the police.
Ms Podlesny continued: "The accused [Chambers] immediately grabbed her by the hair and grabbed her phone.
"He then punched her in the head and pushed her on to the living room couch where he repeatedly punched her on the body."
The fiscal depute added that his partner managed to get Chambers off her before grabbing a knife which she held to protect herself.
The woman was then able to contact police who arrived and found the couple in the living room.
Police observed a red mark on the woman's face and she stated to officers that "he hit me", in reference to Chambers, who was then arrested and taken to Saltcoats police station.
He made his first appearance in court on March 18, and has been remanded in custody since then.
Defending, solicitor Anthony Borland said that he "accepts there is little that can be said in way of mitigation".
He added that both Chambers and his partner - who he says wish to reconcile - struggle with substance misuse.
Mr Borland said Chambers knows he needs to address his issues and that he has been engaging with services available to him in prison in an effort to do so.
“He seems to be trying to make steps at this stage," he added.
Sentencing, Sheriff Colin Bissett said: “There is no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence today.”
Chambers was ordered to spend a total of nine months in prison, which was backdated to his initial remand on March 18.
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