31 August 2023 , 08:38
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A man has been banged up for 22 months after Tasering his girlfriend, who he believed was having too long of a lie-in.
Kenneth Donald, 37, took action after deciding his partner of seven years, Stephanie Paton, also 37, was late getting out of bed one Sunday morning. The pair had been drinking together at Donald's home in Stirling the night before.
Stirling Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that Donald - who was already up - had "insisted" Paton get up too. He said, "Come on, get up", to which she replied she'd was feeling "rough" and would be another "five minutes".
Donald then said: "Get up, or I'll Taser ye".
Prosecuting, Laurelle Johnstone told the court: "A short time later, as Paton was falling back asleep, the accused took a Taser device and activated it against her leg, causing her severe pain and thereafter reddening to her right thigh."
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Stephanie Paton was Tasered after Donald decided she had stayed in bed for too long (Tim Bugler)
Donald used the Taser "as a joke", the court heard (Tim Bugler)An 11-year old child who was present at the time and witness to the incident recorded it on a mobile phone - footage of which was played to the court. The clip saw Donald "clicking" the Taser against his victim and proceeding to laugh at his own actions.
Paton reported the incident a month after it occurred in February, and Donald was duly arrested in March after police viewed the video and obtained a search warrant of his home and car.
Cops soon discovered the Taser, a pack of Taser cartridges, a Taser charging plug and cables, and a knife concealed in a black cover from the rear of the vehicle.
Donald appeared via video link from Low Moss Prison, after pleading guilty in July to the possession of the Taser, assaulting and injuring Paton, and the possession of the knife.
His solicitor, Fraser McCready, told court: "I've asked him why he bought the Taser. He can't really provide an explanation. He certainly bought it online and used it as a joke. But a joke is not a defence to a charge of assault."
Imposing the jail term, Sheriff Keith O'Mahony said the defendant had a criminal record that included past domestic matters. He said: "These offences are possession of a Taser, assault with that Taser to injury, and possession of a knife. In my view, there is no alternative to a custodial disposal."