A 50-year-old man who admitted three assaults on his former partner has been put on probation for 12 months.

William Hedley Graham was also ordered to live in probation accommodation Tromode House for four weeks by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes.

We previously reported that the victim arrived home at Tynwald Street in Douglas on December 6.

Graham was said to have entered the property, where he was also living, and shouted: ’You are going to help me.’

The woman tried to leave but Graham got in front of her to stop her exit.

He was said to have dragged her upstairs with her legs banging on the stairs. He was then said to have put his hand over her mouth to stop her screaming.

A witness outside the property heard the screaming and knocked on the door.

Graham then walked out and left in a van.

He was later arrested and taken to police headquarters.

During an interview, Graham told police that he had been in a relationship with the woman for 20 years and that they were also in business together.

He admitted they had had a heated argument.

In court he admitted common assault as well as two other common assaults said to have been committed on October 21 and November 27.

Graham entered a basis of plea in court saying that, on October 21, he admitted pouring a drink over the woman’s head and being verbally abusive but denied pulling and dragging her, and on November 27 he had raised his voice and thrown things, but not at her.

In the basis of plea, Graham said that he would accept any help to overcome any problems he had.

The court heard that his last conviction was in 2017 for a public order offence.

A probation report said that Graham had been working as a maintenance man helping his former partner with properties she owned.

Graham told probation that things had started to deteriorate last August after the death of his mother as he had found it difficult to cope.

He said: ’My behaviour was disgraceful. I know I’ve caused her a lot of pain.’

The report said that Graham had increased his drinking at the time of the incidents and believed that his anger issues were made worse by alcohol.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor said that his client had served four weeks on remand, the equivalent of an eight week sentence.

Mr Taylor said that none of the assaults had involved punches but added that his client admitted when he lost his temper and shouted, it could be intimidating.

’He says he sometimes can’t control things and becomes angry and shouts,’ said the advocate.

’He has thrown things but not at her. He feels deep remorse. The woman has done so much for him and he’s managed to ruin that. He served four weeks on remand spending Christmas and New Year inside as well as his birthday so he has missed quite a few family events. He wants help and wants to be able to control his temper.’

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes said: ’This must have been extremely frightening for the complainant. It was committed in a place she should have felt safe and by someone who should have been looking out for her.’