Glasgow domestic abuser jailed after "vicious" attack

A domestic abuser who disabled smoke alarms and tried to set a toaster and a microwave on fire during a vicious attack on his partner, has been jailed for four years.

A the High Court of Glasgow 35-year-old Martin McLeod was told by judge Lady Rae: "This was a vicious nasty and sustained attack perpetrated on your partner.

"You twice tried to set electric appliances on fire and had disabled the smoke alarms. You simply went on a rampage.

"You clearly are a serious risk to any women who enter into a relationship with you. There is no excuse at all for your appalling abusive and violent behaviour."

She ordered McLeod to be monitored in the community for a year after his release from jail.

McLeod pleaded guilty to assaulting his then partner Lorraine Allan at a flat in Bathgate Street, Glasgow, on June 29 and 30, last year.

He shouted and swore at her, put letters in a toaster causing them to catch fire, struck the smoke alarms with a hiking stick, poured lighter fluid over a door put metal cutlery in a microwave in an attempt to start a fire.

McLeod, who has previous convictions for domestic violence, threw a glass bottle at Ms Allan hitting her on the body, knocked her to the ground, poured perfume over her, threw her to the floor and kicked her.

Solicitor advocate Chris McKenna said: "This was a fast-moving incident and he was intoxicated. He intends to go to Alcoholics Anonymous on his release from prison.

"He acknowledges she would have been scared, upset and worried. Fortunately her physical injuries were minimal, but no doubt there would be a psychological effect. He is remorseful."

Mr McKenna told the court there is a job waiting for McLeod in a company involved with fire safety and added: "The job is of a labouring nature."

The solicitor advocate added: “He began drinking to excess in 2011 after he had a workplace injury which was life-threatening.