East Kilbride Man Escapes Jail for Domestic Violence Against Partner

A man from East Kilbride has narrowly avoided imprisonment after being convicted of a series of violent acts against his partner. On May 10, 2022, a jury at the Hamilton Sheriff Court found Derek Johnston, 29, guilty of multiple offenses that involved physical assaults on the woman at his home in Glen Moy.

The court heard a detailed account of Johnston’s actions, which included grabbing the victim by the neck, restricting her breathing, dragging her from a bed across the floor, and shoving her against a wall. Although he was acquitted of charges related to striking her with a baseball bat, he was found guilty of possessing cocaine.

During the sentencing, Sheriff John Hamilton KC expressed his disappointment regarding Johnston’s lack of accountability. He stated, “His position is that he is the victim, but this was a significant catalogue of violence against the woman and the jury found him guilty.” The sheriff emphasized that Johnston’s refusal to accept responsibility for his actions was disheartening to the court and society.

As an alternative to a prison sentence, Johnston has been placed under social work supervision for 18 months. He is also required to complete 240 hours of unpaid community work. Additionally, the court has mandated that he remain confined to his home from 8 PM to 6 AM for the next six months under an electronic tagging order.

To further protect the victim, the sheriff imposed a non-harassment order, prohibiting Johnston from any contact with her for a period of five years. The court has warned that any failure to comply with these orders could result in a prison sentence.

This case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the legal system’s response to such crimes. The measures taken by the court aim to ensure the safety of the victim while also addressing the behavior of the offender.