A woman has been jailed for 15 months after battering her partner on the head with a wooden shelf. Danielle Wilson, 33, of Smyllum Road, Lanark, admitted assaulting the victim to her severe injury and permanent disfigurement. The attack happened at a house in Telford Road, East Kilbride, in the early hours of December 10, 2024.
Court Details
Hamilton Sheriff Court was told that Wilson and her partner's relationship had been “toxic”. The Crown accepted that Wilson acted under provocation, having been hit by her partner first. Calum Frame, prosecuting, said the women had known each other for almost all of their lives. They had been in a relationship for around four months at the time of the assault. Both have children with previous partners.
Mr Frame told the court that the victim had taken alcohol and valium before falling asleep. Her recollection of events was “hazy” but she remembered Wilson waking her and being struck on the head. He said: “Police were contacted by a neighbour. Officers came upon [the victim] in the street around 1.30am. She had a laceration to the top of her head that required four stitches and has left a scar.”
Additional Charges
Wilson also admitted breaching bail conditions by having contact with the woman at a later date and failing to comply with a curfew. Defence lawyer Laura Kiernan said Wilson had been annoyed after she was woken by one of the victim’s friends who had turned up at the door late at night. Ms Kiernan stated: “My client then woke [the victim] who struck her first with a shelf. My client hit her back with this item but she accepts it was not self-defence.”
Ms Kiernan added: “Both of these women have difficulties with their mental health and substance abuse. Danielle Wilson suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and at the time of this incident was really struggling with addictions. Both were using crack cocaine and it’s no surprise the relationship became toxic. My client has attended Cocaine Anonymous. She has a support worker and is seeking rehabilitation.”
Sentence
Sheriff Liam Murphy said it was a serious assault committed while Wilson was on bail for other matters. The sheriff told her: “I take account of the provocation and all that has been said on your behalf, but there is no alternative to custody.” Wilson was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
