A Renfrewshire woman has been left with problems speaking and eating after she was assaulted by her ex-partner following a night out in Paisley.
Emily McLaughlan and her ex were on a birthday night out in July last year when things turned nasty between the two following an argument about their relationship. The 32-year-old brute repeatedly pushed her ex and pulled her to the ground in what she described as a “wrestle”.
The victim struck her head on the ground which caused “significant” facial injuries including the loss of a tooth, broken teeth and a fractured jaw.
Prosecutor Abbey McKenna told Paisley Sheriff Court McLaughlan and her partner had been in a relationship for around two years but that it had come to an end a week before the incident although they kept in contact.
Ms McKenna explained: “On the evening of July 21 last year, the accused and the woman went for a night out in Paisley for the accused’s birthday.
“Both attended the Northern Way Bar, Hashtag then Fantoosh. Both were drinking and, by their own admissions, very drunk. Around 3.50am, both left Fantoosh nightclub and made their way to Orchard Street with the intention of getting a taxi.
“Both parties engaged in a verbal argument regarding their relationship and the woman lunged towards the accused and struck her. They then walked in the direction of the car park and the accused pushed the woman twice to the body.
“On entering the car park, the accused pushed the woman approximately eight times to the body and then struggled with and pulled her to the ground. The accused also fell to the ground.
“The woman struck her face on the concrete at this time causing significant facial injury, losing a tooth, breaking several teeth, gum damage and a fractured jaw. The victim contacted an ambulance and her mother to attend.
“On arrival of the paramedics, the woman informed them she had been assaulted by the accused and, thereafter, police were contacted.”
Police found the woman with “significant mouth injuries” and McLaughlan “in a state of panic”.
Officers spoke to McLaughlan and Ms McKenna added: “She began to make admissions stating, ‘I tripped her up and her teeth fell out’ and ‘I cannae believe I hit that lassie’.
“Police arrested the accused and cautioned her which she confirmed she understood and made no reply.
“She subsequently stated, ‘I’m so so sorry, I never meant to hurt you. She got me and we had a wrestle. It was me that flung her to the floor. I never hit her’.
“McLaughlan was taken to Greenock police station. She denied access to a solicitor. She was apologetic and visibly upset about the incident consistently apologising and stating she didn’t mean to hurt her and was very remorseful.”
The victim was taken to Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital where she received two X-rays and was transferred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for reconstruction surgery assessment for her injuries which included a fractured jaw, a wound to her upper lip where four deep stitches were applied, loss of a tooth and broken teeth.
Ms McKenna added: “She advised in April this year [that] the incident has resulted in multiple parts of her mouth being damaged and weakened.
“She has a lot of scarring on the inside of her lip and gum which restricts her when speaking and eating.”
Defence agent Mr Malone asked for reports to be prepared and reserved mitigation. Sheriff Amel Elfallah said “this is a very serious charge” but deferred sentence for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment.
McLaughlan of Wyvis Quadrant, Yoker, Glasgow, had bail continued and will return for sentencing on November 22.
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