A KILBIRNIE man has been jailed after admitting assaulting his partner at a New Year’s Party in Dalry.

Scott Denholm, 27, of Mossend Avenue, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last Thursday where the court heard how Denholm was at a party with the complainer and others and they were all drinking.

The Procurator Fiscal Depute said that just after midnight, the pair were in the kitchen and Denholm began to punch and kick his partner on the face and body.

Friends separated him from the complainer and the police were contacted. When they arrived they noted that the woman had a red mark above her eye but medical treatment was not required.

He was also charged with possession of cocaine. The court heard that when he was searched at Saltcoats Police Office a small, polythene bag was found in his pocket and it contained 0.1g of white powder, which was cocaine and had an estimated value of £5.

Before David Simpson, defending Denholm had the chance to address the court, Sheriff Derek Livingston noted that this was his fourth domestic offence.

Mr Simpson said: “His previous convictions don’t make for good reading.”

He said how the social work report that had been prepared deemed his client low risk and therefore not suitable for the Caledonian Programme which he had some difficulty working out.

He added: “In the report you will see Mr Denholm has engaged in a supervision programme within prison and the woman would be willing to work with him in the community.”

Sheriff Livingston interjected and said: “He has previously been placed on orders, there was supervision and in 2012 he had a fine and a compensation order.”

Mr Simpson replied: “Perhaps a long period of supervision would be suitable? Put him to the test and he would have to adhere to the conditions and undertake unpaid work.”

He added that his client was a mobile car valet who had recently gained contact with his six-year-old son.

He added: “He has come to the realisation that he has to sort himself out. He knows it is his last chance.”

Sheriff Livingston said: “He is blaming the complainer for drinking on medication and started kicking her and he said he had just picked up the drugs, which sounds like theft?”

He told Denholm: “This is your fourth domestic offence. It might have been custody if it was your first, you kicked a woman on the head.”

Denholm was sentenced to a total of six months imprisonment.