A man accused of domestic abuse was banished to the cells after an outburst during a Sheriff’s speech to the jury.
The order was made because of what the court called Andrew McCaw’s “unruly” conduct in the dock.
McCaw was not present a short time later when the jury found him guilty of assaulting his former partner.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard a woman lost a tooth when he punched her at a flat in McClurg Court, Motherwell, on April 9 last year.
McCaw was convicted of assault to injury and permanent disfigurement, and breaching bail conditions by having contact with the victim.
She told a police officer McCaw punched her “square on the mouth,” prompting her to pack her bags and leave.
Police arrived after CCTV operators spotted her in the street. She was shaking and in a distressed state, and was taken to hospital.
McCaw, 37, had been on remand awaiting trial.
During Sheriff John Speirs’ summing up, he started shouting and was eventually removed from the courtroom.
The Sheriff continued his speech and defence agent Ian Scott told the court later that McCaw was “adamant” he would not return to the dock for the verdict.
Sentence was deferred until next month for a criminal justice social work report and McCaw, who has previous convictions, was again remanded in custody.
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