Paisley brute left former partner with cut head after attack

Paisley Sheriff Court
-Credit: (Image: Andrew Neil)


A thug who struck his ex-girlfriend over the head leaving her with blood-stained hair and “crying hysterically” will be sentenced next month.

Out-of-control Gary Beckett assaulted his ex-girlfriend on July 7 at a property in Paisley’s Langcraigs Drive. The 25-year-old brute had a heated argument with his ex after she had been on a night out with friends.

A member of the public was so concerned when they heard the disagreement that they phoned 999 and, when cops turned up, they found the woman “extremely dishevelled” and “inconsolable”.

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The procurator fiscal depute told Paisley Sheriff Court the incident happened two weeks after the couple’s relationship had ended, however, they remained in daily contact.

The court heard: “On July 6, the complainer left her home and went on a night out with friends, not returning home until around 8am on July 7.

“Upon entering her house, she found the accused upstairs in the bedroom. A verbal disagreement took place and during that disagreement he assaulted her by striking her on the head with his hand.

“This caused an injury to the top left of her forehead causing a small cut. An anonymous member of the public called 999 after hearing an altercation. Police attended and opened the front door when they heard the female say she couldn’t open the door.

“Officers noted her to be crying hysterically, that she was extremely dishevelled and that her hair was blood stained. They also noted the cut on her forehead.

“The accused immediately stated, ‘we’ve fallen out, she had a night out and came home with a guy’. Officers noted the complainer was inconsolable.

“The accused was arrested and taken to the police station where he made a no comment interview and made no reply to caution and charge.”

The prosecutor told the town’s court the female was in support of a non-harassment order being made. Beckett admitted the assault ahead of his trial commencing at Paisley Sheriff Court. Defence agent Mr Malone asked to reserve mitigation for the preparation of background reports.

Sheriff Amel Elfallah stated: “This is a serious offence. I’m going to defer sentence for background reports.”

Sentence was deferred for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment until December 16.

Consideration of a non-harassment order was continued until the same date and Beckett, now of Auldearn Close, Glasgow, had his bail continued meantime.

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