Angus man faces jail after assault on pregnant ex-girlfriend

Published 7th Jul 2016

An Angus man who told his pregnant ex he was going to "kick that baby out of you" before booting her in the stomach during a vicious attack hours after they broke up is facing jail.

Stewart Ramsay dumped Holly Mitchell, who was 10 weeks pregnant with his child, on November 27th last year before going off to a nearby pub.

The attack left Miss Mitchell with two days of agony after a check the next day failed to find a heartbeat - though a full scan two days later found the baby had survived and was healthy.

Miss Mitchell, 22, texted him following the break up saying he had left his belongings at her house and offered to bring them to him.

Ramsay walked out into the car park waving a full pint glass about - before hurling it at the windscreen of her car.

Fiscal depute Eilidh Robertson told Forfar Sheriff Court that Ramsay then attacked - first punching Miss Mitchell twice on the head.

He then grabbed her in a headlock and punched her head and body.

Miss Robertson said: "The accused then punched Miss Mitchell's sister's partner, Liam McLEan, who was also in attendance, in the face. Miss Mitchell was then knocked to the ground and he again punched her to the face. He then returned to Mr McLean and kicked him two or three times in the face while shouting at him. He then punched Holly Mitchell again in the face, before kicking her in the stomach, with each of these blows causing her to bounce off the car. While this was going on he was shouting 'I will kick that baby out of you. Miss Mitchell attended Arbroath Infirmary but was discharged without treatment. A heartbeat could not be detected for baby but a scan two days later found everything was OK with her pregnancy."

Miss Robertson added: "The accused was traced in another pub 90 minutes after the incident. He attempted to headbutt Sgt Colin Echevarria and kicked out at him during the journey to Arbroath police office. His position was that she had attended unannounced and he couldn't remember assaulting either complainer."

Ramsay, 25, of Carnoustie, pleaded guilty on indictment to two charges of assault, one of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner and one of police assault.

All were committed on November 27 last year at High Street, Carnoustie, Angus.

Defence solicitor Ian Flynn said: "He has been on bail since this happened and I'd ask that is continued before sentencing."

Sheriff Gregor Murray deferred sentence until next month for social work background reports and released Ramsay on bail meantime.

He said: "You have pled guilty to a very serious charge and a custodial disposal is at the forefront of my mind."