Man killed by partner he abused

Published on 02/02/2013 00:00

A WOMAN killed her partner after he subjected her to regular domestic abuse, a court has been told.

Natalie Scott hit James Dornan with a wine glass after he “flew into a rage” and attacked her in March last year.

Dornan, 33, a serial criminal with a conviction for violence, was discovered dead in the flat in Stirling the next morning.

Scott was later arrested and revealed how her 18-month relationship had involved “physical and mental” abuse by Dornan.

The mother of two had injuries that were consistent with “systematic” domestic violence.

Scott appeared at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday charged with murder.

But the 27 year-old instead pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of culpable homicide.

The court was told Dornan had more than 30 convictions to his name and was jailed for housebreaking in 2011.

The police were involved in a number of reports of domestic violence between Scott and Dornan, but these did not result in a prosecution as she was “reluctant” to make a complaint.

Judge Lord Turnbull deferred sentencing for reports.

Scott was remanded in custody and will be sentenced later this year.