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Court / Ex-military man narrowly escapes jail for domestic violence

A LERWICK man has been sentenced to a two-year community payback order for assaulting his ex-partner and a committing a string of thefts from her.

Andrew Lewing, 31, of Ladies Drive, earlier admitted stealing around £3,500 from his ex’s savings on various occasions.

He also admitted assaulting her when she was pregnant on 21 July 2018 and behaving in a threatening and abusive manner and assaulting her on another occasion nearly a year later.

Tommy Allan, defending, said that while Lewing seemed unable to control his pilfering, his violent offences had been against a background of unaccustomed drinking.

Lewing, he said, suffered PTSD [Post-traumatic stress disorder] after serving in the military in Afghanistan and was identified in a social work report as displaying “misogynistic tendencies”.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank told Lewing that the issue was a “total lack of respect for a partner” and ordered him to complete the Respect programme for perpetrators of domestic violence as part of his sentence.

Lewing will also be under supervision for two years and has to complete 180 hours of unpaid work within six months. The sentence was imposed as an alternative to a jail term.

The sheriff further imposed a compensation order for £3,500 that Lewing is to pay back to his ex-partner.

He finally imposed a non-harassment order and told Lewing not to approach or contact the woman in any way.

If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.

For victims of general crime:

For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:

For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:

Shetland Women’s Aid

Phone: 01595 692070
Web: https://www.shetlandwa.org
Email: office@shetlandwa.org

The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)

Phone: 01595 744402 or 08088 010302
Web: https://www.compasscentre.org
Email: contact@compasscentre.org

For anyone affected by substance use:

Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network

Phone: 01595 744402
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075791869200
Email: recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk

Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership

Phone: 01595 743060 or 07342 077789
Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot

Substance Use Recovery Service

Phone: 01595 743006

 
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