A thug caught on camera attacking his partner complained when video of him throttling her emerged.
Christopher Forrest was convicted of multiple assaults on his terrified 33-year-old victim at the home they previously shared in Blantyre. But now he claims he's being treated unfairly because she's posted footage of him attacking her on social media, Lanarkshire Live reports.
Hamilton Sheriff Court previously heard the woman feared she was going to die during the violent episodes. She said that one occasion she struggled to breathe during an attack, and Forrest told her: "I don't care if I go to jail."
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Videos were recorded on a camera meant for dog-watching when the house was empty. It shows Forrest hurling abuse and launching unprovoked assaults. Forrest, 40, who now lives in Ayr, was due to be sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.
But his solicitor raised concerns over references to the video in a criminal justice social work report. He also claimed the report didn't give a true reflection of his client's position. Forrest admitted assaulting his then partner to her injury and the danger of her life on three occasions.
The attacks happened at their home in Greenhall Place, Blantyre, between July 2017 and August 2020. Forrest also admitted threatening or abusive behaviour towards the woman.
Defence agent Andy Thomson told Sheriff Linda Nicolson: "My client was troubled by a social media site set up by the complainer that showed videos of assaults by him. The author of the criminal justice social work report appears to have viewed these and claims to have new evidence that my lady does not have.
"However, there were numerous charges in this case and not guilty pleas were accepted to some of them. The social worker has provided a commentary on what she has seen (in the videos).
"That commentary and her interpretation of it should not be in this report. I don't think it is helpful that the report author viewed evidence in the case.
"My client is more than happy to outline his position to another social worker."
The case was continued until next month for further background information and Forrest had his bail continued.
At an earlier hearing Paul Jamieson, prosecuting, said the couple's relationship began in 2015 and the first assault happened after when the woman arrived home with shopping on July 6, 2017. The couple had an argument in their driveway where Forrest had been working on monoblock.
Mr Jamieson told the court: "He grabbed her by the throat and pinned her against a wall, lifting her on to her tiptoes. He then moved her against the back of her car with such force that the rear wiper broke and she fell to the ground."
Four months later the couple argued in their bedroom and Forrest again grabbed his partner by the throat, calling her a cow.
Mr Jamieson stated: "The woman says she couldn't breathe and tried to break free. He then dragged her by the hair and struck her face off the bed several times, causing her nose to bleed.
"The woman's parents saw her that night. There was blood on her head and red marks on her neck. She was extremely upset."
The third assault happened on August 8, 2020. By this time the couple had separated but were still in contact over their shared property.
The fiscal said: "She mentioned money he owed her parents and he snapped. He put both hands around her neck and began to choke her, restricting her breathing.
"She tried to push him away, mouthing 'I can't breathe', and the accused said 'I don't care if I go to jail. You're going to die at my hands, you cow.'
"The woman was scared she would die. She felt she was beginning to pass out, but after 15-20 seconds the accused let go and walked away."
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