Man who attacked woman twice appeals against jail sentence

A man jailed for twice attacking a woman is appealing against his 32-month prison stretch.
Martin Barnett was jailed after trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court.Martin Barnett was jailed after trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
Martin Barnett was jailed after trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

Martin Barnett assaulted the woman at her home in Tannochside.

Barnett (23) was convicted by a jury after trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

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However, he is now appealing against the sentence handed down by Sheriff Vincent Smith.

Barnett has also been served with a non-harassment order. This bans him from approaching or contacting his victim over the next five years.

The sheriff also imposed a 12-month supervision order designed to reduce his risk of re-offending when he is released from prison.

Barnett, a prisoner, had denied assaulting the woman in October 2014 and May last year, but the jury returned guilty verdicts.

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On the first occasion he struck her repeatedly, banged her head repeatedly against a wall, lay on top of her, demanded sex and tried to take off her clothes.

At one point the woman had trouble breathing as Barnett choked her. She managed to lock herself in the bathroom, but Barnett forced his way in and dragged her out.

The jury deleted allegations that he struck the woman on the body with a knife to her injury and intended to rape her.

The court was told that during the May incident Barnett chased the woman down a flight of stairs as she tried to leave her home. After a struggle he carried her on his shoulders back upstairs.

Sheriff Smith heard Barnett has previous convictions for assault and threatening behaviour.

More from the court in the Times & Speaker, on sale every Wednesday.