Inverness man threatened to cut partner’s head off, court told
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A man threatened to cut off his partner's head while she was sleeping and burn their house down during a week of turmoil in the family.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Krzystof Dudkiewicz (36) demanded to see the woman’s phone several times between November 19 and November 26, 2022, kicked her on the leg and flicked cigarette ash at her at their home in he city’s Wester Inshes Crescent.
He admitted his campaign of domestic abuse against his partner and an angry Sheriff David Harvie deferred sentence on him for an assessment for a male abuser's programme.
He told Dudkiewicz: "You had better co-operate and you had better hope you are deemed suitable. It will be in your best interests."
Dudkiewicz will return on May 31 to learn his fate.
Fiscal depute Sharon Ralph told the court that the couple argued over money on November 19 and Dudkiewicz picked up a knife and threatened to kill his partner after she refused his demand to see her mobile phone.
He repeated his demand later in the bedroom, grabbed her by the arm and neck but she managed to push him away, Mrs Ralph said.
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Two days later, while his partner was doing the washing up, he again wanted to see her phone, grabbed it and damaged it.
"She bought a new one the following day and when she returned from work, he was drinking,” the fiscal depute said. “He demanded her phone again and flicked cigarette ash at her, threatened to burn the house down and cut her head off when she was asleep.
"He then began to cry, followed her into the living room, pushed her onto a couch and said he wanted to have a baby with her."
On November 26, Dudkiewicz's partner was preparing to go out for the evening and was having a cigarette with him outside.
"He made comments to her and kicked her on the leg,” Mrs Ralph said. “She left but came back an hour later and began to argue with him about a female he was on the phone to.
"He grabbed her by the hair, pulling a clump out. She managed to get away, flagged down two police officers and made them aware of the incident.
"He was apprehended and told police: 'Every time we argue she said I am going to destroy you. I am afraid I will lose my job and my son'," Mrs Ralph went on.
Defence solicitor Laura-Jane McFarlane reserved her comments until her client returns to court.
