A brute whose girlfriend took an overdose after he attacked her has avoided a prison sentence.
Brian Lowe punched the woman 20 times during a sustained assault then pestered her constantly with messages after getting bail.
Lowe, of Loch Brae, Springhill, Glasgow, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
The 34-year-old admitted assaulting his partner and her 17-year-old son at a house in East Kilbride on March 29 last year.
Lowe also admitted breaching bail conditions by contacting the woman repeatedly.
Jennifer Cunningham, prosecuting, said the victim confronted Lowe after he called her two teenage sons names.
He punched her, causing her to fall back, then got on top of her and rained down punches on her head.
She screamed for help, but her sons couldn't get into the bedroom because she had fallen against the door.
The fiscal went on: "She believes she was struck about 20 times.
"Eventually she managed to open the door and crawl out.
"Witnesses saw Lowe kick her to the body, put his hands around her neck and scream in her face.
"He was ushered to the front door then swung a punch that struck one of the sons on the eye."
The woman had bruising to her face and red marks on her neck. She and her son, who had a black eye, declined medical treatment.
Lowe appeared in court the next day and was bailed.
The woman was then informed by his lawyer that he was in a coma after an overdose.
But days later he contacted her and over a 72-hour period bombarded her with messages.
Ms Cunningham told the court: "He was threatening to overdose again.
"She says that as a result of everything she felt like an emotional wreck.
"On April 11 last year she was found - unresponsive - by her son, having apparently overdosed herself. She was taken to hospital for treatment."
Defence agent Philip McWiliams said Lowe was ashamed of his behaviour and had had time to reflect during a period in custody awaiting the case.
The lawyer said: "He has had difficulties with alcohol and substance misuse.
"There seems to have been a downward spiral, but his time in prison sobered him up. He has tried to resolve his issues and is anxious to turn his life around.
"This must have been a traumatic experience for his partner. The relationship is well and truly over."
Sheriff Ray Small told Lowe: "This was a pretty nasty attack on your partner and the assault on her son was inexcusable - he was only trying to protect his mother.
"I would be well within my rights to impose custody.
"However, the background report states that you have got your act together to an extent, though you still need assistance."
Lowe will be supervised by social workers for two years and must do 200 hours of unpaid community work.
He must stay away from his former partner under a two-year non-harassment order.
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