Man attacked partner on day of release from prison

A MAN who was freed just four months into an eight-month sentence for assaulting his partner attacked her again on the day of his release, a court heard.

Patrick McGinlay, 45, described as a prisoner at Saughton, was sent back to jail for a total of 20 months at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre told him: "You were on licence when you committed this appalling assault on this woman".

As well as ordering that McGinlay complete the four months remaining of the previous sentence, the sheriff added a further 16 months.

McGinlay had pleaded guilty previously to repeatedly headbutting Shirley Grant at her home in Colinton Mains Road, Edinburgh, on May 13 this year. He also admitted spitting on the face of Pc Alan Sheill. Sentence had been deferred for reports. Sheriff McIntyre was told at the previous hearing that the couple had consumed a lot of alcohol in her home and that, after an argument, McGinlay had turned on her.

Neighbours heard the disturbance and called the police.

Defence agent Jonathan Campbell said McGinlay accepted he was an alcoholic. He and Ms Grant had been in an "on and off" relationship for two and a half years. The relationship, said the solicitor, had been extremely destructive in its nature.

Ms Grant had visited McGinlay in prison and they had arranged to meet on his release.

"He is deeply ashamed of his actions" said Mr Campbell, who added that the pair no longer had any contact.