Jail for man who kicked pregnant girl in belly

James Boyd, 28, admitted a catalogue of domestic abuse against five partners over a ten-year period.

Sentencing Boyd, judge Lord Turnbull told him: “Over a ten-year period you displayed bullying and domineering behaviour. You have deep-rooted problems in your attitude to women. I’m satisfied that in the past you posed a danger to women and unless you change your attitude you will continue to be a danger to women in the future.”

Boyd was also ordered to be monitored in the community for two years after his release from jail.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Boyd, of Church Place, Fauldhouse, West Lothian, initially told girlfriend Jennifer Mair that he was happy about the forthcoming birth. But, after drinking he became abusive and violent towards her and said he hated her being pregnant.

Boyd admitted assaulting Miss Mair between May 2007 and August 2009 by threatening her, shouting and swearing at her and punching and kicking her. He also admitted violence against four other partners.

His first victim, who was physically abused by Boyd between July 2003 and May 2004, was just 15. On one occasion she remembers they were watching football with friends when Boyd suddenly took her into another room, produced two large knives and told her: “If I can’t have you, nobody can have you.”

She was terrified and finally broke up with him just before her 16th birthday.

Solicitor advocate Stuart Carson, defending, said Boyd was “drinking on an almost daily basis and says this was to block out memories that he had been abused as a child”.

Boyd has 22 previous convictions for assault, racial crimes and breaches of bail.