A DUNDONALD man who carried out a vicious assault on his former partner - after being ordered by a court to stay away from her - has been jailed.

Scott Devlin grabbed the woman by the throat and hair, spat her, struck her on the face and pulled her to the ground - before locking the door and removing the keys so she couldn’t leave.

The 33-year-old was handed a non-harassment order in May 2021 and ordered to refrain from causing alarm or distress to the woman.

But just a month after the order was imposed, Devlin committed further offences which have now landed him in prison.

Devlin was sentenced at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week, having pleaded guilty to an amended charge in November.

Court papers stated that between June 21 and July 27, 2021, both dates inclusive, at an address in Irvine and elsewhere, Devlin engaged in a course of behaviour which was abusive of his ex.

He admitted assaulting the victim by grabbing her by the throat, restricting her breathing, spitting at her, striking her on the face, seizing her by the hair and pulling her to the ground.

He also detained the woman against her will by locking the door of the property and removing the keys, preventing her from leaving.

Devlin also took her mobile phone and keys and repeatedly phoned the woman and left voice messages.

The charge added that he made derogatory remarks towards her and compelled her to make derogatory remarks about herself.

He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and a new non-harassment order was imposed which will remain in effect for a further six months after the end of his sentence.