A SHERIFF was unable to sentence a domestic abuser last week after hearing the man may be unfit to follow court proceedings and is awaiting trial for a serious violent crime.

The 24-year-old, of Primrose Place in Tillicoultry, was in the dock at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, October 24, having previously been convicted of six charges.

These included tampering with an electricity meter at an address in Tilly on March 21 last year, and violently struggling with two police constables two days later.

Then on September 24, 2018, the man attacked his partner by grabbing her hair and body and throwing her onto the floor.

The man was initially accused of repeatedly punching and kicking her on the head during the attack, but this was later removed from the charge.

Furthermore, he admitted breaching his bail conditions on three occasions.

In court on Thursday, solicitor Kelly Howe told the court her client was in custody and was awaiting trial for another matter.

That relates to an allegation that he seriously assaulted another man to his severe injury in Clacks earlier this year – which is being dealt with at the high court.

Ms Howe then outlined a report prepared ahead of that trial suggested her client "isn't fit to participate in any court proceedings".

It was then stated the Crown were seeking to have their own assessment of his mental state carried out.

After hearing that submission, Sheriff David Mackie deferred sentencing for eight weeks to await the outcome of pending high court proceedings.