A man who carried out a “despicable” assault on his former partner at her Alexandria home while they waited for an ambulance to arrive has narrowly avoided being sent to prison.

Daniel Atkins repeatedly punched the woman on the head at the house in Strathleven Drive while the pair were waiting for an ambulance to treat a child at the property.

Fiscal depute Eoin McGinty told Dumbarton Sheriff Court that 30-year-old Atkins had grown increasingly frustrated while the couple awaited the arrival of the ambulance on April 1.

“This resulted in an argument during which the accused stood up and began to punch the complainer to the back of her head,” Mr McGinty said.

“She described immediately experiencing blurred vision. She did not contact police herself, but shortly thereafter received a message from an uncle asking if there was an update on the ambulance.

“She phoned her uncle back in hysterics, saying 'he's hit me bad', and the uncle phoned the police.”

When they arrived officers saw Atkins' partner with her face covered in blood; by the time they arrived, Atkins was no longer on the scene, but he was traced, cautioned and charged five days later.

Gail Campbell, defending, said the couple's relationship was now over but that Atkins, of Lochgoin Avenue in Drumchapel, acknowledged his “lack of control, compulsiveness and temper” had resulted in him being brought before the court.

“He understands the seriousness and gravity of this offence,” Ms Campbell said.

“It was an extremely stressful time. He has mental health issues but that is not in any way meant to excuse his appalling behaviour.

“He knows he is in a very precarious position.”

Sheriff William Gallacher told Atkins: “Clearly a situation arose where your partner was in considerable difficulty. Rather than being supportive you lost your temper.

“This is an example of the most insidious and despicable behaviour. It is exactly the reason why domestic abuse is regarded as an utterly unacceptable form of behaviour.”

Atkins, who admitted a charge of assault, was placed on supervision for two years and told to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work within the next six months.

He was also ordered to take part in a Glasgow-based domestic abuse rehabilitation programme for the next two years.