Man sentenced to 32 months in prison after "horrific" attack in Moray
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A MAN has been sentenced to 32 months in prison after leaving a woman scarred and badly traumatised in a horrific attack in Moray.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that the woman "feared for her life" after being subjected to the attack by Christopher Smith (33), who was wielding a mop and a hoover.
Smith, described as an Inverness prisoner, was sentenced to 32 months in prison after admitting assaulting the woman to her injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life in Macduff Place, Dufftown, on January 21, 2023.
He was given a four-year non-harassment order, but on being told of the NHO shouted to Sheriff Harvie: "That's not what she wanted."
The court had heard that Smith's victim had visited him in prison while he was on remand. But Procurator Fiscal Alison Young told the court that the woman had been contacted in early May and had expressed her fear of him.
The court had been told that there had been an argument between the couple.
Mrs Young said that he placed his hands around her neck and applied pressure, hit her with a hoover and a mop and her lip was cut, leaving her with a scar.
Defending, Neil McRobert told the court: "He was under the influence of something. It is clearly abhorrent conduct."
Smith also admitted assaulting a police officer by punching him on the face and attempting to spit on him after he was arrested at a property in Dufftown's Church Street.
He also pleaded guilty to threatening or abusive behaviour towards police who he threatened to "slash".
Sheriff Harvie told Smith: "Your former partner sustained permanent disfigurement.
"In addition, in a separate incident, you attempted to spit on an officer and you punched that same officer in the face.
"Then you also struggled violently with officers when they were carrying out their lawful duties."
