Aberdeen woman feared dog would be killed

Aberdeen man admits assaulting ex-girlfriend

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A WOMAN feared her ex-partner was going to kill an 11-week-old puppy during a row at her Aberdeen home, a court heard.

John McAndrew, 34, appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court where he admitted assaulting his former girlfriend, Gillian Cowie.

The Aberdeen court heard she feared for the safety of the young dog.

Depute fiscal Gemma Hind told the court the couple had been in a relationship for more than two years.

She said they broke up on May 8 and McAndrew, had been sleeping in his car in the driveway of Miss Cowie’s Aberdeen home until the day of the incident on May 13.

Ms Hind said Miss Cowie arrived back at the house with a friend and McAndrew grabbed her arm and struggled with her.

She told the court the couple went inside so McAndrew could pack a bag – but when inside he took his 11-week-old puppy “by the scruff of the neck”.

She told the court McAndrew held the dog upside-down and Miss Cowie thought he was going to kill it.

But defence agent Graham Morrison claimed McAndrew was cradling the dog which was “quite happy”.

He told the court the assault happened when offshore worker McAndrew tried to get keys from his ex-partner. McAndrew, whose address was given in court papers as 19 Gardiner Crescent, Aberdeen, admitted assaulting Miss Cowie and breaking the peace at Loirston Place on May 13.

Sheriff Kieran McLernan deferred sentence for background reports to see if there was any alternative to a prison sentence, because of McAndrew’s “appalling record for violence”.