A Saltcoats woman who was repeatedly punched and kicked by her partner after he burned her on the neck with a lit cigarette has spoken out as the thug avoided custody.

Elizabeth Murray, ex partner of thug Robert Grainger, ‘felt numb’ after he was allowed to walk free on returning to court for sentence.

However the Saltcoats woman thanked her family, police and prosecutors - telling the Herald she felt glad to be believed after the jury’s verdict.

She said: “To be honest I don’t even know how to feel, I'm definitely not happy with the sentence.

“The judge said it more than meets the threshold for custody, but when he said ‘however’, my mind went blank.

“I came out the court and didn’t have feeling of anger or want to hit something, but just felt numb. The punishment doesn’t fit the crime.

“I never contacted the police until the last night when I was punched in the head and kicked on the body.

“Someone called from the historic domestic abuse team and that’s when they started taking it seriously.

“Do I feel safe with a non-harassment order? I think it’s quite shocking, he can’t be 50m from me but he’s two streets from me.

“The red flags should have been there but I didn’t see them. The father of my kids passed away then we met up.

"He’s a nasty piece of work. I should have got rid of him before I did, I know that now.”

Describing the first act of violence, Ms Murray said: “We were standing at the patio doors, and I honestly can’t remember what the argument was about, but he was smoking and the next minute just put it right in my neck. It was horrific, it was agony.

“I was in tears and went right out the house.

“I went to his mum and dad’s – I didn’t want my mum and dad knowing what he was like. I was told to tell the police.

“I eventually had to tell my mum and dad.

“I’m definitely glad he was convicted, he was going about telling everyone I was mad. He pleaded not guilty. It took two years to go court because of Covid but I knew how violent he was. I was just glad that I had been believed.

“People were saying I shouldn’t go to the sentencing but when it was what it was, I felt the punishment doesn’t fit the crime.

“Since then I’ve just felt so numb.”

Ms Murray continued: “He did not even present a defence and was found guilty. He forced me to relive it on the witness stand for a day and a half - and in my opinion should now be in prison.”

She and her family thanked Police Scotland's Historical Abuse Team, Women’s Aid, Star and the Crown Prosecution Service.

She now hopes other women may realise that it is not too late to come forward.

Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline is available at: 0800 027 1234 or email helpline@sdafmh.org.uk.