AN Irvine man who carried out a terrifying hour-long attack on his partner has narrowly avoided a prison sentence.

Caleb Fotheringham, 19, bloodied the woman as well as holding her against her will during the ordeal in Bank Street on February 10.

And a court heard how the desperate teen continued to harass the woman with over 180 phone calls in a pathetic attempt for forgiveness.

Fotheringham was in a relationship with the woman for about nine months prior to the incident.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard how the pair were laying in bed at around 8.30am when they began to argue.

Fotheringham pushed the woman which caused her to fall into a CD rack who ended up with a bloodied nose.

After rising to her feet, Fotheringham pinned the helpless woman onto the bed saying: “Do you want to leave me? 

“Why don’t you want to be with me?”

The woman howled in terror but a relentless Fotheringham covered her mouth to stifle her screams.

She eventually broke free from his grasp and tried to leave the property but Fotheringham grabbed her by the hair.

Fotheringham stood in the doorway, blocking her exit.

The desperate woman screamed out the living room window for help.

He again grabbed her, threw the woman onto the floor as she begged Fotheringham to let her go.

The teenager called for an ambulance saying he would “have her sectioned”.

As revealed by the fiscal depute, the incident lasted around an hour before the woman managed to flee Fotheringham’s home.

A neighbour called the police after seeing her bloodied and looking visibly distressed.

Two days later, Fotheringham called the woman around 50 times which went unanswered.

Undeterred by a lack of response, Fotheringham made a further 134 calls and also sent texts which were non-threatening.

The court also heard how he passed on a Valentine’s Day card, perfume and sweets to his stepmother to give to the woman.
But police were contacted.

Fotheringham then found himself remanded in custody for breaching his bail by trying to communicate her.

After previously pleading guilty, Fotheringham returned to the dock from custody for sentencing.

Fraser Alexander, defending, said his client has no intention of contacting the woman again.

He said Fotheringham showed “genuine remorse” and “shame” for his actions in his social work report.

Mr Alexander said: “Apparently he has been thinking about what he has done on a daily basis and recognises the impact his actions have had.

“For what it’s worth, he apologises and is ashamed for his behaviour.

“He’s been on remand since February 16 which equated to a four month sentence.

“It’s his first taste of prison.

“He’s learnt a lesson from all of this and intends to be a law-abiding citizen, keep away from her and get on with his life.”

Presiding Sheriff Shirley Foran sentenced Fotheringham to 12 months supervision, 200 hours of unpaid work and a two month tagging order.

A non-harassment order was also granted preventing him from contacting the woman for a year. 

These were imposed as a direct alternative to a custodial sentence.