A WOMAN has been found guilty of biting her partner - but cleared of throwing coffee over him in a separate incident.

An Ayr Sheriff described the couple as having a ‘toxic relationship’.
Caroline Marris, of Russell Drive in Ayr, appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court last week.

She was found guilty of assaulting her partner on two occasions by biting him and causing him injury on January 16 and charged with the coffee incident on April 30.

Giving evidence Gordon McKay, the accused’s partner was questioned by Procurator Fiscal, Stephen McLean about what happened on the night of April 30.

But there was anger after he claimed he could not remember what had happened.

Mr McKay told the court: “I made a phone called to the police but I was drunk - it was a false allegation.

“I can’t remember making the phone call and I don’t remember anything - I was so drunk.”

In return, the Fiscal said: “Do you know what wasting police time is Mr McKay? 

“You are under oath to tell the truth - so you cannot remember anything that night?”

The witness replied: “No - I was so drunk when I phoned and when they said what she had done, I can’t remember that happening at all.”
A letter that was written by the witness and sent to the fiscal office, was read out to the court.

It said: “I am writing about what happened against my partner.

“ It said that she threw coffee at me when she was on bail and living in Girvan and was told not to see me, but I am her carer.

“She was in hospital the night before after trying to take her own life and the next night we had a row.

“I don’t want to make a statement and I wish for you to drop this charge as we only had an argument - she didn’t assault me.

“Please can the court look at my statement and bring my fiancée home.”

Mr McLean asked the witness why he asked the police to come to the home after the incident happened and he replied by saying he didn’t know, he was drunk.

McLean concluded: “You cannot remember to give a statement of what happened but you have in your letter that you had a row.

“Domestic abuse is a very serious matter that we take very seriously.

“It can stem from someone throwing cold coffee over someone to murder.

“Do you think phoning the police is a viable use of police resources Mr McKay?”

The witness replied: “I was just drunk.”

The procurator fiscal gave a background to the incident involving the accused and the complainer where Marris bit Mr McKay on January 16.

He explained that Mr McKay had been released from prison on December 29 for assaulting the accused and he had been consuming alcohol on a regular basis.

An argument broke out between the two and police attended and found Mr McKay topless, showing a bite mark on his right shoulder as well as other injuries - Marris was released on good behaviour.

Speaking on her behalf, defence solicitor Mr Lockhart, said: “She has recently turned 50 and the two lived together.

“There is a history of mental health and she has no real family or friends.

“She describes the relationship to be of constant rows and of the complainer to be a heavy drinker and in the report it shows there to be emotional and physical abuse in their relationship. It might be a good idea for a further good behaviour report from this instance.”

Sheriff Carole Cunninghame, responded: “What has not been clear is where they are still in a relationship.”

Mr Lockhart, replied: “It is preferred by Ms Marris to resume the relationship and move back in with the complainer.”

Sheriff Cunninghame, concluded: “I am surprised - this can be seen as a toxic relationship.

“I have heard the courts observations and I will defer this for three months for an updated report.”

The court found the accused not guilty.